With the state of the environment, many historic cities are facing the threat of rising sea levels. In reaction, Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn highlighted this issue by unveiling his latest installation at Venice’s annual art installation, Venice Biennale 2017.
Entitled, Support, the sculpture depicts two hands rising out of Venice’s Grand Canal toward the Sagredo Hotel. The hands reflect the two conflicting sides of human nature – the creative and the destructive. Support highlights the idea that humans have the direct ability to impact the course of history and the environment. We could destroy the world, however, it is up to us save it.
Quinn aims to highlight climate change and the rising sea levels that could affect Venice along with the rest of the world. Significantly Venice, a floating city, faces the direct effects of rising sea levels. With his piece, he encourages the world to act now in order to reverse the impact we’ve had on the environment.
Quinn draws inspiration from his own children. In an interview with Mashable, Quinn says “I have three children, and I’m thinking about their generation and what world we’re going to pass on to them. I’m worried, I’m very worried.” In fact, the hands themselves are molded after his son’s. Using a method known as “lost wax casting” he created a wax model of the sculpture and molded resin around it. Underwater, four 30 foot pillars hold the hands in place.
Lorenzo Quinn intends to showcase “Support” as a rotating installation, with plans to bring the hands to other UNESCO World Heritage sites also facing destruction due to climate change.
More of Lorenzo Quinn’s work can be found at https://www.lorenzoquinn.com/