The subject of protecting and safeguarding the artistic crafts is examined from a variety of angles with significant contributions from international experts.

This volume features the speeches held by Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Emilio Colombo, Franco Cologni, Pierre Chevalier, Francesco Giacomin, Giorgio Pozzi, Lorenzo Ornaghi, Domenico De Sole, Richard Lepeu, Renato Mannheimer, Sergio D’Antoni, Enrico Letta, Giampiero Bodino, Fabrizio Ferri, Angela Missoni, Emanuele Pirella, Franco Maria Ricci and Matteo Thunduring at the International Convention “The Intelligence of the Hand. Artistic Crafts: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, which was held in Milan on June 8th, 2000 and chaired by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

The subject of protecting and safeguarding the artistic crafts is examined from a variety of angles, including the point of view of its political and institutional implications. Considerable reference is also made to employment and to issues concerning the strategic alliance between artistic crafts and the luxury goods market, to the vital coexistence of tradition and innovation, as well as to the importance of new technologies.

The final round table between the protagonists of the artistic crafts (from the publishing industry to fashion, from photography to design) provides stimulating food for thought.