Relight Venice: Rekindling the City

Venice Original is thrilled to present Michela Bortolozzi and her innovative workshop, Relight Venice.

Born and raised in Venice, Michela has always had a deep connection with her hometown, a love that is reflected in her work as an artisan and designer. After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts, Michela furthered her education abroad, earning a Master's in Sustainable Design and collaborating with artisans and designers in Palestine, South Africa, and Morocco. These international experiences enriched her with unique creative techniques and a broader understanding of innovative materials, though it was the human connections and relationships she formed that truly enhanced her journey.

In 2020, Michela returned to Venice, bringing with her a wealth of experiences and the aspiration to start a project rooted in her values: Relight Venice. This sustainable design and craft workshop was created with the aim of honoring Venice and rekindling its light. Relight Venice's products draw inspiration from Venetian architecture's details, encouraging reflections on consumption and conservation. The candles, soaps, lollipops, and crayons are all crafted from sustainable materials, often recycled, and pose a question to the consumer: is it worth using them until they disappear, or should they be preserved for their beauty and design?

The project prompts reflection on the role of tourism and the difference between being a tourist who consumes and a traveler who preserves and seeks authenticity. Michela is also committed to supporting local communities, as demonstrated by her collaboration with the Rio Terà dei Pensieri cooperative and the Women's Prison in Venice, where Relight Venice has established a second workshop. This collaboration not only enriches the products of Relight Venice with social value but also helps to keep local artisanal traditions alive.

Through Relight Venice, Michela has forged a network of collaborations that extend beyond the borders of Venice, embracing international artisans. Earrings and necklaces created using Moroccan artisanal techniques are one example, bringing a touch of distant culture to Venice—a hallmark of Venetian culture since the days of the Republic. This interconnection among artisans from various regions underscores the importance of the "handmade" and the uniqueness of products, which directly conveys an irreplaceable value from the artisan's hands and heart to the client.

Michela aims to restore the true meaning of the souvenir, which should not be a mere consumable item but a vessel of culture and awareness. With objects like the "mirror necklaces," which reveal the essence of Venice and its hidden corners, Michela seeks to promote a more conscious and responsible tourism model, one that looks beyond the surface to appreciate the depth of local history and traditions.

Relight Venice's motto, "Wherever you are, feel like a local," perfectly encapsulates Michela's intent: to invite everyone to rediscover Venice with fresh eyes, support local communities, and adopt a travel approach that is respectful and sustainable. In doing so, Michela Bortolozzi enlivens Venice's cultural fabric and contributes to a broader movement of awareness and appreciation for artisanal traditions.

We invite you to visit the Relight Venice workshop in Calle Zancani 2430 and be delighted by the myriad colors, textures, and shapes inside. It is also possible to book a workshop to create your candle under Michela’s guidance.