Marea: Melissa McGill transforms Corte Nova (Venice) with painted linens

Marea: Melissa McGill’s site-specific installation at Corte Nova

When: 30 April – 10 May 2026
Where: Corte Nova, Castello district, Venice (Sotoportego and Corte Nova) — coordinates: 45.4369871, 12.3460024
Access: free in the courtyard's open spaces

"Marea" transforms the Corte Nova courtyard into an urban stage of collective memories. Artist Melissa McGill works with hand-painted linens that act as narrative panels: they host local stories, photographs and performative references, shaped through direct engagement with the community.

Concept and technique

The project explores local identity, tourism and environmental change. A distinctive feature is the use of lagoon water to dye the fabrics: the local water leaves material and visual traces on the linen, establishing a tangible connection between the artwork and Venice's aquatic environment. Interviews, memories and materials gathered on site are woven into the textiles and the project's photographic and filmic documentation.

How to experience the work

While walking through the courtyard visitors can read the collected stories and see the integration of photography, performance and installation. The piece is intended for open, participatory viewing: visitors are invited to leave personal testimonies, which will be used in the creation of a book and a film documenting the creative process.

• Recommended visiting: continuous access in the courtyard during the exhibition period.
• Participation: visitors can contribute memories and materials collected by the organizers.
• Respect the area: the courtyard is in a residential zone—avoid gatherings and keep the space orderly.

Why visit

"Marea" provides a concrete example of public art that reveals local memories and environmental issues, turning everyday materials into a collective narrative about identity, water and change. By collaborating with residents and using lagoon-sourced materials, the installation offers an alternative perspective on neighborhood life beyond the tourist view.

Practical information

• Location: Sotoportego and Corte Nova, 380, 30122 Venice VE, Italy
• Coordinates: 45.4369871, 12.3460024
• Access: free, open to the public in the courtyard's outdoor spaces