Lorenzo Quinn’s hands in the Grand Canal encouraged me to visit Venice. (Any excuse will do)
I went to Venice just for a day. I bought a day pass for the ferry and set off to see the hands emerging from the Grand Canal. They are at Ca’ Sagredo quite close to Rialto.
I saw them from the opposite side of the canal, from the same side, from underneath and beside.
Here are my photos from every angle.
The giant white hands remind us that we can play a role in helping to help the save the planet from climate change. Cities like Venice will suffer from rising sea levels.
Here is what the artist, Lorenzo Quinn, has to say about his work.
The hands are modelled after the hands of one of his three children. He worries what kind of world we will leave to our children.
The sculpture, weighing 2,200 kilograms, was made in Barcelona using the “lost wax casting” method. The hands are constructed from resin-coated polyurethane foam. The pieces of the sculptures were carried down the Grand Canal and lifted into place.
Time is running out to see the sculpture in place. It is there until 26th November.
Oh Debra I absolutely love those hands what a truly inspirational piece of art – I am so green would love to see them – enjoy 😘
By: Helen close on November 6, 2017
at 9:21 pm
I was delighted to be able to get to Venice to see the hands.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 6, 2017
at 9:40 pm
Yes, a wonderful inspirational installation – glad you were in Italy and able to jump from Bologna to Venice so easily. You covered the ‘hands’ so very well. Thanks
By: Dianne Cant on November 6, 2017
at 9:40 pm
Public transport is good in Italy. I prefer to take buses and trains into cities…much easier than driving.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 6, 2017
at 9:46 pm
WOW!! I never heard of these – I was rendered speechless at first. So powerful! So detailed!!
By: 2gatherstones on November 6, 2017
at 10:07 pm
I saw the hands on various posts and wanted to go to see them for myself.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 6, 2017
at 10:16 pm
I have great admiration for Lorenzo Quinn’s sculptures in general, but his hands are simply superb and this installation proves it. How lucky you are, Debra, by being able to see it. And thank you for sharing it with us.
By: Mulino Dominillo on November 6, 2017
at 10:10 pm
I’m pleased I was able to get to Venice in time to see the hands.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 6, 2017
at 10:16 pm
Fantastic post Deb
By: Elizabeth Litzow on November 6, 2017
at 10:13 pm
Thank you. I had a great day in Venice.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 6, 2017
at 10:17 pm
Wow Deb, they are magnificent!
By: liz shuter on November 6, 2017
at 10:24 pm
I think so.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 5:51 am
Leave it to the Italians for stunning arts! Fabulous!
By: Christine Collins on November 6, 2017
at 10:51 pm
Lorenzo Quinn is the son of Anthony Quinn, the actor.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 5:52 am
Damn….wish they were still there next Marzo…..would definitely go and see….fabulosa
By: sealights99 on November 6, 2017
at 11:11 pm
I am pleased I was able to get to Venice to see them.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 5:52 am
How amazing, would have been a experience to see this. Worth the trip for you, any excuse to visit Venice.
By: Kirsi Säde on November 6, 2017
at 11:58 pm
I love Venice. It was still crowded even though it is November.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 5:53 am
Debra: Thank you. The sculpture is unique!
By: Diane on November 7, 2017
at 12:34 am
It was great to go to Venice for the day to see the hands.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 5:54 am
I would go to the grand canal just to see the helping hands. What a sight to see.
By: The Thrifty Campers on November 7, 2017
at 12:48 am
I’m pleased I did.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 5:54 am
Such a great statement with this installation, YES Venice needs HELP. Thank you for sharing Debra. When I lived in Germany I used to go a lot to Venice, taking the night train from Munich, Germany
By: corneliaweberphotography on November 7, 2017
at 2:31 am
I am lucky that I am only a few hours from Venice.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 5:55 am
Aren’t they extraordinary and what a wonderful metaphor.
By: Jan on November 7, 2017
at 6:26 am
It was great to be able to see them in place.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 2:20 pm
So freaky … so clever
By: Jenny Brown on November 7, 2017
at 7:09 am
Very clever.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 2:19 pm
Hi Debra, Lorenzo has created a remarkable sculpture which I look forward to seeing during my fortnight there later this month. The Venice Biennale is an interesting and very diverse exhibition. Your photos are brilliant. Can’t wait to see the helping hands in person.
Cheers,
Robyn
By: italia4ever on November 7, 2017
at 8:03 am
I’m sure you will have a great time in Venice.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 2:19 pm
WOW! This is great art, fascinated me. And also so meaningful. Thank you dear Debra, Love, nia
By: niasunset on November 7, 2017
at 8:24 am
I think the hands are wonderful.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 2:18 pm
Extraordinary. How long has it been there for Debra?
By: amindfultravellerblog on November 7, 2017
at 12:01 pm
The hands have been there since May, coinciding with the beginning of the Biennale. We didn’t have a chance to get there earlier this year.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 2:17 pm
Oh. I thought it was sometime this year. I knew we hadn’t seen it 2 years ago! I’d love to see it. Looks amazing.
By: amindfultravellerblog on November 7, 2017
at 9:04 pm
Those are haunting and thought-provoking. When my daughter was little she used to call things like that “the nobody hands”. Truly a work of art and too bad they will be coming down. Thanks for sharing the amazing photos. Hope you are well.
By: Stacy di Anna Pollard on November 7, 2017
at 1:56 pm
I am happy I was able to get to Venice while the hands are still in place.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 2:18 pm
Ohh I would of loved to have seen those.
By: janetknight57 on November 7, 2017
at 4:02 pm
I am delighted I get there in time.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2017
at 8:10 pm
How amazing!
By: Kerry & Jim on November 7, 2017
at 11:31 pm
Wow! I had seen a picture of these but your photos are superb, Debra! What an amazing piece of art, with a wonderful message!
By: Pauline on November 7, 2017
at 11:57 pm
Those hands are incredible!! 😮 Thanks for showing them to us at every angle.
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 8, 2017
at 4:07 am
Beautiful, thank you.
By: paulsantoleri on November 8, 2017
at 10:54 am
Stunning!
By: Joe on November 8, 2017
at 12:27 pm
Love it and the message.
By: Sherry Felix on November 8, 2017
at 2:08 pm
Just saw the “hands” 2 weeks ago as the vaporetto passed by. Was wondering about them and not able to get a picture – so glad to find your post with these wonderful pictures.
By: Pamela Marasco on November 11, 2017
at 1:27 pm