Chapter 10: Lifeline, A Water Storytelling Project

Stunning conversations between the sky and the water in the Po Delta

Heaven and Earth in conversation in the reflective waters of the Po Delta

For over 25 years, water and cosmos have been guiding my work. Every one of my projects is a constellation– of individuals, of organizations, and elements coming together to create a new illuminated water story.

When I recently returned to the Po River Delta, the waters revealed their communion with the sky.

This is referenced in a new work that will be featured in my upcoming exhibition in Turin, Italy where the Po River runs through the city. It will open on October 30 at Mazzoleni Gallery. This large scale work in 4 parts, is titled Illumination. It expresses a language of light, life force, water’s expression, weather and the cosmos on a highly detailed historical map from the State Archives of Turin full of human-centered details such as names, measurements, postal routes, fortresses from the 1800’s.

Illumination, 2024. Water, kaolin clay and metallic powder in varnish on printed map from State Archive of Turin mounted on linen. In 4 parts, each 41.5 x 52.5 in.

Detail

Detail

Detail. The Po River traverses this map.

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I’m grateful to Nicola Baroni for an unforgettable journey in the Po Delta’s waters, shown in the photos and videos above. In an upcoming chapter I will be sharing his heart-filled water story.
Thanks to Marcella Ferrari, my project manager and collaborator in these explorations, and my husband and favorite photographer, Mike Quinn, who took the beautiful photos of the artwork featured above. They are all courtesy of me, the artist, and Mazzoleni.

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Love,
MM