Monumental Installation Of Hands Creating A Bridge Of Unity In Venice

Sculptor Lorenzo Quinn triumphantly returned to Venice with another monumental installation. Six pairs of hands stretch across the basin of the historic Arsenal, joining together to create a bridge of unity. At about 50 feet high and 65 feet wide, Building Bridges is an awe-inspiring addition to the city as it experiences the Venice Biennale. For Quinn, it is a spectacular bookend to his 2017 work in Venice, Support, that garnered worldwide acclaim.

While the hands of Support spoke to the dual nature of humanity and its ability to be both creative and destructive regarding the environment, Building Bridges focuses entirely on the positive. In an age when walls are being raised to divide us, Quinn looks to spread a message of unity and peace in a city built on bridges.

Every set of hands expresses those values through their touch. Whether lightly brushing or gripping firmly, the groups form an undeniable expression which translates universally. Love, strength, and empathy circulate across the sculptural group, which is sure to attract the same type of attention that made Support one among the most buzzed-about art installations of the 2017 Venice Biennale.

The inclusive theme of the work fits perfectly with its location in the Arsenal. Venice’s historic shipyard is where the powerful Venetian Republic built up its naval fleet from the 12th century onward. It is also where the commercial ships which helped Venice make its name as a trading empire were constructed. Venice’s reputation as a city always mixing with different peoples, whether through trade or tourism, aligns perfectly with Quinn’s desire to see a world that’s united across cultures.

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