Venice
Recently, collaboration has been a key element of my practice. My aim is to make accessible artworks – offering entry points – presenting topics that touch us all. I’ll exhibit during the next Venice Art Biennale (dates under review as a result of Covid-19). This blog post outlines two ways that you can be involved in the project.
The Project: Just over a year ago, I began work on an application to show during the 2021 Venice Biennale [now changed to 2022]. I’m delighted to have been offered an exhibition venue. It’s been a dream of mine to show during the Biennale, ever since seeing the festival for the first time in 2007. The arts organisation I’m working with is a respected one, presenting their shows via the official Biennale programme, so that the venue is listed and artist promoted accordingly. They’re known for their use of alternative spaces – which perfectly suits my practice. More than that, the venue is in Castello – heart of the Biennale district.
Full details remain under wraps for now, but, I can say that the show will explore themes of environmental change. Given that Venice is Europe’s first clear victim of rising sea levels, this topic will be the principal under discussion.
I invite you to take part in my survey Where Once the Waters. The data collected via this survey will help to form the main, large-scale artwork of the show. I’m also calling for sponsors. Following the same method as I did for Perimetri Perduti (in 2015) I’ll list sponsors of the show in associated printed material and online. I’ve set aside a series of paintings which will be gifted in return for sponsorship offerings.
Background: In 2013, I began work on – what was later titled – Perimetri Perduti. The project’s title translates as ‘perimeters lost’, and explores the history of Florence’s 1966 flood. The artworks illustrated the changed shape and lost boundaries of the flooded city. By way of painting, writing and the eventual production of a book, the project drew contrasts with contemporary examples of environmental extremes, whilst also discussing the lost sense of place Florentines experienced.
In order to elevate that project, the book and eventual book-launch exhibitions were funded by generous sponsors – who had followed developments – backing by way of donation. Their support allowed me to present the work at its very best, in prime locations and to a wide audinece: in the British Institute of Florence alongside an exhibition to mark the 50th year since the flood; and shortly after, in Florence’s twin city of Edinburgh the book was presented in The Fruitmarket and Italian Cultural Institute.
I am once more reaching out. The richness of that experience is still with me today. Vital connections were made and endure, and important stories shared.
I began researching for this project as a direct next step from my Florence work: exploring the impact of the city’s ever increasing episodes of acqua alta (high water).
There are two ways that you be involved:
as part of the artwork itself & as a sponsor
Data collected via my survey Where Once the Waters will help to form the exhibition’s principal, large-scale installation. Enter your details to be included in the artwork.
Following the same method as I did for Perimetri Perduti (in 2015) sponsors of the show will be listed in any associated exhibition material and online. A range of artworks are also available as sponsorship companions – visit this webpage for full information on sponsorship.
Want to know more? info@davidcass.art