Take time out from the other exhibitions and relax in this beautiful space that is both a working tea room and an immersive exhibition in itself. Enjoy a cup of tea or a light bite in a space decorated and furnished with iconic pieces by designers, artisans and manufacturers from all over the world. Admire and use beautifully made furniture, tableware, decorative objects and games, discover the stories these objects tell us about diverse cultures, and come to understand the relationship craftsmanship has with our everyday lives.
Curator Tapiwa Matsinde was inspired by the traditional concept of the tea room created by enterprising 19th century women who would open up their living rooms to guests willing to pay for tea and cake. She has filled her own 'living room' with everyday objects that inspire a sense of wonder: bistro tables made of heritage stone, feather-like ceramic vases, nature-inspired metal sculptures, chairs featuring woven ceremonial textiles and other items that reveal the stories and customs of different cultures. Get up close to these exquisite pieces and gain a better appreciation of the time, skill, care and attention that goes into creating objects that enhance our everyday lives.
With a picturesque view over Venice lagoon, the tea room’s main dining area is a wonderful place to linger. Elsewhere in the space, explore a lounge area with a selection of inspiring reading materials, make time for the dedicated games area featuring a billiards table and beautifully crafted table-top games such as chess, and stroll through the indoor garden, which lends the room an air of enchantment. Leave refreshed, reinvigorated and ready to explore the rest of Homo Faber Event 2022.
Tapiwa Matsinde is a London-based independent curator, author, writer and consultant. Her work highlights the role craftsmanship has in design, seeking to bring to the fore the work of artisans we don’t often hear about. As the founder of atelier 55, an award-winning digital platform, Matsinde specialises in shining the spotlight on designers and artisans from across Africa and its diaspora, bringing their work to the attention of global audiences. She is the author of Contemporary Design Africa and has contributed essays on the topics of design, craft and sustainability to various publications.
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