I lived in Venice, Italy from 1991-1993 and ever since it has been a heart center in my life and work–a place of connection, community and a source of water storytelling.
What Venice has taught me has guided my engagement in site responsive projects such as The Campi, Red Regatta and the one I am working on right now. One flows into the next….
I am dedicated to engaging in change-making, impactful projects that engage local participation in unique, meaningful and creative water storytelling. Transforming and uniting the collective atmosphere feels like a miraculous accomplishment in these times, given the culture of fear that separates us.
For the past year I have been working on a new project and on April 11, 2025, I presented an event titled Quei de la Corte Nova that signals the start of what will be a year long period of research and collaboration with local residents and Massimiliano Smerghetto, a Venetian who is deeply in love with his city and engages in economic and cultural activities to promote and defend Venetian community vitality. The collaboration will culminate in large scale work and be presented in spring 2026.
In Venetian dialect, Quei de la Corte Nova means Those of Corte Nova.
Corte Nova is located in the neighborhood of Castello between Via Garibaldi and the Arsenale, in the heart of the area of the Venice Biennial. Here the Venetian heart still beats to its own rhythm as it is inhabited by Venetians. It is known for the density of its criss-crossing laundry lines creating a vibrant a web of neighborhood connectivity.
Inspired by this custom, this one night open-air photographic exhibition featured images from the 1930s to today, hung on lines strung across the street, telling the story of this neighborhood and celebrating Venetian vibrancy resisting the intense pressure of over tourism. Between shared stories and collective memory, this visual interweaving presents the Venetian soul of Castello.
The photographs featured range from 1930 to now and were generously provided by the local residents of Corte Nova themselves, La Gondola Photographic Archive in Venice featuring photographs by Etta Lisa Basaldella and Mario Mazziol, the archive of Associazione 3 Agosto, Marcella Ferrari and me.
The intervention was presented via Associazione Water Projects (a non-profit cultural association that I founded in Venice which aims to present civic, solidarity via creative community events and interventions) and with the contribution of associations and city institutions including: Associazione 3 Agosto, Lega Spi Cgil Venezia c.s. e Isole, La Gondola Photographic Archive, and the students of the Andrea Barbarigo Professional Institute, who catered a wonderful aperitivo to celebrate the event.
Grazie a…
The Residents of Corte Nova
Comune di Venezia/ Città in Festa
Municipalità di Venezia
Marcella Ferrari, Project Manager
Beatriz Cifuentes, Designer
CasadoroFungher, Press Office
Kinonauts, Video Makers
This is just the beginning!
Thank you for being here with me. Feel free to share and post questions below.
Love,
Melissa
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