Few visitors to Venice realize that the city sinks approximately 2 millimeters each year, a gradual descent that threatens “La Serenissima” with watery extinction. Lorenzo Quinn’s monumental hand sculptures, emerging from the Grand Canal like ancient titans, don’t merely decorate the aquatic landscape—they’re a 9-meter-tall wake-up call to humanity. These colossal appendages, both supporting and protecting Venice’s architectural treasures, have transformed from tourist curiosities into powerful symbols of what’s at stake when the acqua alta comes calling.
Hands of Hope: Art Meets Environmental Activism
Rising from the emerald waters of Venice’s famed Grand Canal, Lorenzo Quinn‘s colossal hand sculptures have become an unexpected modern landmark in this ancient city of canals. These massive installations, standing about 9 meters tall and weighing 5,500 pounds each, aren’t merely decorative—they’re a powerful statement about Venice’s precarious environmental situation.
Quinn’s initial installation, aptly named *Support*, appeared to prop up the historic Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, creating an illusion that human hands were literally holding up a city that’s slowly surrendering to the sea. Revealed during the 57th Venice Biennale in May 2017, *Support* quickly captured global attention despite not being part of the official exhibition. The hands, modeled after Quinn’s son Anthony, rest on pillars inserted approximately 10 meters beneath the canal, creating a striking visual metaphor for humanity’s responsibility toward cultural heritage. The sculpture serves as a poignant reminder of Venice’s UNESCO heritage status and the increasing threats it faces from rising sea levels.
The sculpture remained in place for six months, drawing countless visitors who came to witness this marriage of contemporary art and environmental activism. Much like tourists in Dubai must navigate strict alcohol laws, visitors to Venice navigate the city’s rising waters to experience these powerful installations. Quinn didn’t stop there. His follow-up installation, *Building Bridges*, featured six pairs of hands forming arches over a waterway at Venice’s Arsenale. Each pair represents a specific value—friendship, hope, love, help, faith, and wisdom—crafted in white resin to mimic the appearance of Venice’s beloved marble. This impressive installation spans 50 feet over water, creating a dramatic visual statement about human connection.
The revealing ceremony was graced with a performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, adding musical resonance to an already powerful visual statement. The timing of these installations couldn’t be more relevant, as Venice continues its battle against acqua alta—the periodic flooding that threatens the city’s foundations.
The giant hands serve as a potent reminder that Venice’s fate rests in human hands, both literally and figuratively. Quinn’s vision is deeply personal, as the hands were specifically modeled after his 11-year-old son’s hands, linking current and future generations in the climate change narrative. Through these sculptures, Quinn has managed to transform environmental concern into tangible art, encouraging visitors and locals alike to recognize their role in preserving this floating city for future generations. The message is clear—Venice’s salvation requires not just admiration, but action.
