Montblanc & The Beauty of Writing Craftsmanship at Homo Faber in Venice

Montblanc showcases the artistry and beauty of its writing instrument craftsmanship at Homo Faber , the ground-breaking cultural experience in Venice from April 10th to May 1st 2022. The event brings together international master artisans and rising stars to illustrate the diversity of materials, techniques, origins and skills behind functional everyday objects and outstanding decorative pieces. The immersive experience curated by Montblanc spotlights the art of nib craftsmanship, one of the purest expressions of Montblanc craftsmanship, with a skilled process that transforms gold into the nibs of its celebrated writing instruments.

Inside the Montblanc space at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini on Island San Giorgio Maggiore, guests are invited to learn about the anatomy of a fountain pen and the ingenuity behind the tool’s functions and elements. The immersive experience features a step-by-step guide of the 12 production phases to masterfully craft a nib, with craftspeople on-site making nibs. True to its mission to Inspire Writing, visitors can discover or rediscover the wonder of writing by hand at the Montblanc Writing Station with a bespoke nib presentation and through the testing of different ink colours. Montblanc experts are on hand to make recommendations around specific nib and ink choices to achieve the optimal writing experience.

“We are delighted to return to Homo Faber, bringing with us the artistry and virtuosity of Montblanc artisans who oversee 35 skilled steps to handcraft our gold nibs. It is their enduring passion and expertise that have sustained Montblanc’s status as the great pioneer of writing culture as well as a custodian of the traditions of craftsmanship through the generations. A nod to the opening of Montblanc Haus in Hamburg this Spring, we are thrilled to spotlight the exceptional creativity of Studio Marianne Guély’s with a new work connected to the work she has created for our new brand destination that celebrates the wonder of handwriting,” says Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO.

As part of its participation in Homo Faber, Montblanc has partnered with Studio Marianne Guély’s on her project 'The Imaginary Alphabet' with the installation "ABCD’M" that echoes the cultural diversity of Venice, a city that over the centuries has made its mark in the world of art and craftsmanship. This contemporary tribute to Aldo Manuzio, the Venetian printer of 1515, is a subtle blend of cultures and savoir-faire transmitted through writing.  The original installation is a reflection of this cultural place through the prism and values shared by Homo Faber, Montblanc and Studio Marianne Guély.

The space is a metaphorical representation of this savoir-faire: the shelves of books represent this knowledge and know-how accumulated, written down, and transmitted over time like a precious treasure. The arch is a symbol of these ancient libraries and the bridges of Venice as links between cultures and knowledge. The mirror reflects endlessly the library and the letters evoking the perpetuation and evolution of knowledge through time. The imaginary alphabet represented by the paper letters that float in space as if escaped from the books, is a graphic and physical representation of thought and creation, formalized by writing. Thanks to the work of Lorenz Boegli, a printer beyond compare, and his unique silkscreen printing skills, we have created a bold and immersive experience. Through its treatment and the application of phosphorescent inks, the alphabet reveals itself to the visitor in two different ways, giving freedom to his imagination to absorb the artwork.

As part of its ongoing commitment to craftsmanship, Montblanc Haus opens its doors to the public at its headquarters in Hamburg, Germany this May. It tells the story of Montblanc from its founding days to the present, of the women and men that craft Montblanc’s writing instruments and of those who have used them to share their imprint on humanity. The immersive brand experience brings to life Montblanc’s belief in the value of writing and the ways in which it helps people express their full potential and ultimately leave their mark on the world.