Italy's famed city of Venice has grappled with flooding and New Folder (2014)encroaching waters since the Middle Ages. But as global warming speeds up sea level rise, the charming destination is steadily slipping underwater.
Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn calls attention to this threat with his arresting, larger-than-life sculpture in the sinking city. Supportfeatures two 5,000-pound hands bursting out of the Grand Canal and grasping the walls of the historic Ca' Sagredo Hotel.
SEE ALSO: Sobering visualizations reveal how sea level rise could transform cities in your lifetime"I have three children, and I'm thinking about their generation and what world we're going to pass on to them," Quinn said in an interview. "I'm worried, I'm very worried."
Yet the sculpture, which was unveiled on May 13, is also a call for action -- a plea to scientists, policymakers, and citizens alike to address human-caused climate change and its many impacts on communities and the environment.
"Something has to be done," the 51-year-old artist said.
Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage property, was founded in the 5th century atop a mosquito-filled marsh. Spread over 118 islands and initially supported by wooden pillars, mud, and marble foundations, the city was never all that structurally sound.
Now rising sea levels are pushing more water into Venice and coastal cities around the world. Scientists estimate that if global warming exceeds 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, above preindustrial levels, about 80 percent of the world's coastline could see more sea level rise than the global average.
Quinn said he initially conceived Support for this year's Venice Biennale, a famous contemporary visual arts exhibition, but the project wasn't accepted. So Quinn and the gallery that represents him, Halcyon Gallery in London, decided to work directly with Venice city officials to install the sculpture. He built the hands from his workshop in Spain in just three weeks.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The hands "symbolize tools that can both destroy the world, but also have the capacity to save it," the gallery said in a press release.
"At once, the sculpture has both a noble air as well as an alarming one -- the gesture being both gallant in appearing to hold up the building whilst also creating a sense of fear in highlighting the fragility of the building surrounded by water and the ebbing tide," according to the gallery.
Quinn said he modeled the two hands after those of his 11-year-old son. The sculpture is made of a polyurethane foam covered by a resin, and four pillars reaching 30 feet deep anchor the hands to the bottom of the Grand Canal.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The hands will be on display through Nov. 26, the last day of the Venice Biennale.
After that, Quinn said the sculpture will likely go on tour. The artist has received multiple requests to install the hands at other UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Italy's Pisa, and cities suffering the effects of climate change.
Sony launches new flagship XM6 headphones: Order them now
Cry of the week: Viola Davis wins an Oscar and inspires us so much it hurts
Play this hilarious voice
This drone photo shows how much damage was done to a Jewish cemetery
Best Hydro Flask deal: Save $10 on a 24
7 'Zelda: Breath of the Wild' tips the game won't tell you about
Amazon might make Alexa home phone with intercoms
Cry of the week: Viola Davis wins an Oscar and inspires us so much it hurts
'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 5: The spores are here!
High school basketball team loses game in worst way possible
Best Apple deal: Save $19 on AirTag 4
Company of software engineer held at JFK hits back on LinkedIn
MashTalk: Are BlackBerry and Nokia really back from the dead?
Don't expect the Google Pixel 2 to get any cheaper
Best soundbar deal: Save $300 on the Sonos Arc
Cry of the week: Viola Davis wins an Oscar and inspires us so much it hurts
Company of software engineer held at JFK hits back on LinkedIn
Facebook just quietly rolled out its long
What cracked the Milky Way's giant cosmic bone? Scientists think they know.
'Rogue One' plot holes exposed in parody video
Rob Lowe burns President Trump's grammar with a 'West Wing' referenceReddit updates homepage for net neutrality support ahead of FCC ruling9 best tweets of the week, including turtles, the chef emoji, and fighting the seaApple TV's 'Trying' brings humor and warmth to the adoption processLyft redesigns its electric bicycle with builtNew 'Magic: The Gathering' Modern Horizons 2 card sets planeswalkers on fireHow to turn off location history in Google MapsApple to launch new AirPods this year, AirPods Pro in 2022, report claims6 personal finance podcasts that won't bore you to deathNew Zealand prime minister responds to Ed Sheeran's citizenship request with a miniTesla's inRob Lowe burns President Trump's grammar with a 'West Wing' referenceAthlete's #MeToo story sheds light on Asia's reluctance to discuss sexual assault6 personal finance podcasts that won't bore you to deathTwitter revives the Trump/Obama crowd size debate after tree lighting ceremonyFDA clears heart monitoring AliveCor Kardia Band for the Apple WatchNew Zealand prime minister responds to Ed Sheeran's citizenship request with a mini9 best tweets of the week, including turtles, the chef emoji, and fighting the sea6 personal finance podcasts that won't bore you to deathMutual masturbation can bring you closer to your partner, even over FaceTime During this fireworks festival, thousands of bottle rockets fly out into the crowd Rihanna dabbing at Women's March in New York is as good as it sounds Half an onion desperately wants to get more Twitter followers than Donald Trump Emma Watson hugging her mom at the Women's March is total sweetness Computer issue forces ground Snapchat Discover is cracking down on sex, clickbait and fake news This country is developing its own sign language dictionary The new Star Wars episode title means more than you think USA vs. Haiti 2025 livestream: Watch Concacaf Gold Cup for free Over a dozen dead as violent storms slam Southeast U.S. Man's kiss cam proposal goes horribly, horribly wrong Is swallowing gum bad for you? Asking for a friend (Sean Spicer) Tom Brady's massive coat stole the show during the AFC championship game Tom Brady finally opens up about his relationship with Donald Trump. Kind of. The most surprising team changes in pro 'League of Legends' Graceful dog jumps over doggy gate like it's NBD Hugo Barra is leaving Xiaomi Snapchat for iOS gets big redesign, along with search Nick Offerman's 'Pussyhat' rallied Reddit around a Photoshop battle Kristen Stewart is pretty weirded out about that time Donald Trump tweeted about her
2.1022s , 8223.8125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【New Folder (2014)】,Unobstructed Information Network