Murano glass beads, velvets, silks, bronze, and leather: the Londra Palace Venezia hotel is hosting the Mano a Mano collection, travel items crafted by the skilled hands of master artisans and young talents
Mano a Mano is a project that brings together master artisans, innovative designers, and young Venetian talents, supported by the Fondazione The Place of Wonders, Londra Palace Venezia, and Venezia da Vivere.
The initiative aims to preserve and enhance ancient Venetian craftsmanship techniques, involving Venetian artisans such as Tessitura Bevilacqua, Ramosalso, Alessia Fuga, Marisa Convento, Fonderia Valese, and Meracu, chosen for their ability to combine traditional techniques with a modern concept.
The Fondazione The Place of Wonders, established by the Babini family, has created a new School for Master Artisans and asked Venezia da Vivere to select five Venetian artists to create items representing different aspects of travel and Venetian craftsmanship. Here they are:
- The Luggage tag by Shanti Ganesha of the brand Meracu, handcrafted and hand-stitched using vegetable-tanned leather.
Curàme is the Venetian word for leather, the processing of which is an ancient Venetian craft. Shanti creates leather bags and accessories using leather from the Genuine Italian Vegetable-Tanned Leather Consortium (from cattle destined for the food industry). Her works are unique, blending the traditional art of leather with the minimalist design of Japanese origami.
- The jewelry piece Simbiosi by Alessia Fuga and Marisa Convento: pendants made with lampwork glass and the ancient technique of the Impiraresse.
Artisans Alessia Fuga and Marisa Convento keep the Art of Glass Beads alive, recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020. On the island of Murano, Alessia uses the lampwork technique to create unique beads. Marisa is the ‘impiraressa’ who transforms small seed beads into artistic jewelry. Their collaboration led to the creation of Simbiosi, a necklace that evokes the grace of a jellyfish.
- The brass Keyring by Fonderia Artistica Valese, depicting symbols of the Londra Palace hotel, crafted through meticulous casting processes.
Fonderia Valese is the only foundry in Venice, producing iconic objects such as gondola decorations, and is known for its skill in creating intricate brass details. The items produced serve practical functions while also being works of art that celebrate the richness of Venetian history and culture.
- The Tie-scarf by Demis Marin of the brand Ramosalso, made from vintage silk ties from Venetian upcycling circuits, a symbol of sustainability and innovation.
In his Ramosalso tailoring atelier in Rialto, Demis Marin promotes sustainability through creative recycling, creating unique garments with a contemporary design using vintage fabrics, such as silk from ties. By giving new life to pieces otherwise destined for waste, he creates clothing and accessories that combine aesthetics and sustainability. This approach reduces waste and celebrates the intrinsic beauty of materials, making each garment a unique piece with its own story to tell.
- The velvet Pouch created by Giulia Bevilacqua of Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua, a witness to centuries of textile craftsmanship.
Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua uses ancient looms to produce damasks, brocades, and ‘soprarizzo’ velvet in Venice, keeping alive a centuries-old tradition that began in 1499. Each fabric requires months of work and meticulous attention to detail, with no room for error. Representing the latest generation, Giulia Bevilacqua, a young designer and artisan, has handcrafted a practical pouch with contemporary patterns.
Projects like Mano a Mano emphasize that craftsmanship is an art that connects travelers to the cultural identity of the region.
Items from the Mano a Mano collection are available at the Londra Palace Venezia hotel and can be acquired with a donation.
Article by Lucia Pecoraro. Photos by Marta Formentello.
