Marea: Melissa McGill Transforms Corte Nova in Venice with Painted

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

Dates: 30 April – 10 May 2026 | Location: Corte Nova, Castello district, Venice

"Marea" is a site-specific art project that turns the Corte Nova courtyard into an urban stage of collective memories. Artist Melissa McGill employs hand-painted linen sheets as narrative supports: the panels combine photography, performance and local testimonies to tell stories of the neighborhood and the lagoon.

Concept and technique

The work explores themes such as local identity, tourism impact and environmental change. A distinctive feature is the use of lagoon water to dye the fabrics: contact with coastal water leaves material and color traces on the linen, creating a direct bond between the artwork and Venice’s aquatic environment. Documents, interviews and recollections collected on site are integrated into the textile surfaces and into photographic and video documentation.

Visiting information

• Access: open and free in the courtyard's outdoor spaces (Sotoportego and Corte Nova).
• Recommended times: continuous viewing during the exhibition period; visit during quieter hours to respect residential life.
• Participation: visitors can leave personal memories and contributions that will be collected by the organizers for a book and a documentary film.
• Respect the space: avoid gatherings and help preserve the courtyard, which is located in a residential area.

Practical details

• Address: Sotoportego e Corte Nova, 380, 30122 Venice (Castello)
• Coordinates: 45.4369871, 12.3460024
• Access: free, outdoor areas
• Dates: 30/04/2026 – 10/05/2026

Why see it

"Marea" is a concrete example of public art that makes local memories and environmental issues visible, turning everyday materials into a collective narrative about identity, water and change. The direct engagement with residents and the use of lagoon materials provide an alternative perspective on neighborhood life beyond the usual tourist image.