WATER & ARTS PROJECT - VENICE
Its 12 o'çlock and the alarm bells are ringing and fast actions are needed before its to late to protect our countries , cities and cultural Heritage against the rising sea-level and floods caused by climate change. Even nowadays climate refugees are acknowledged. With the expertise over the years of the Dutch well-known water - management we can deal with one meter higher sea-level at the end of this century. But many other countries are in need for a better water system. To catch the attention of this danger we are working to an unique water&arts project about ART in collaboration with contruction companies and water - managements. With the focus to the many floods and the old Construction of the MOSE Dam in Venice.
Ellen: ' At my first visit to Venice in 2018, taking a boat trip, I noticed near to the central station lines on the wall with marks how high the waters could rise and what's going to happen without interference.The lines were kept in my subconscious and I took some photo’s of sea-weeds near by the central station. The lines of threat of sinking and the very dark green sea-weeds along the quay impressed me. In Fall that year I started with my pastel-paintings series 'The waters of Venice'. In 2019 there was a huge tide in the city and I received via social media many remarks that my artworks responding to the high water level in Venice. And this became an eye-opener. I managed to catch with my then 'Green Art project' the attention of UNESCO in Paris, Yaël Thomas of the cultural sector stated: 'We acknowledge the quality of your project, which gives special emphasis to environmental issues through art'. And saying that my art project is very interesting with La Direction Artistique Fondation Cartier sharing their opinion'. The Water&Arts Project ' will be presented by European Cultural Centre in Italy during the BIENNALE 2026 in Venice from May till November.
WATER MANAGEMENT
European Heritage Hub have put Venice in the Heart of Climate and Culture actions
It is well-known that the Netherlands is a country far below sea-level and over the ages it has featured a highly controlled water-management to protect our landscapes and historical cities. In Amsterdam, touristic like Venice, the water circulation is controlled and the waters in the famous canals are of a rather good quality and full of fishing birds. The Italian government has 20 years ago commissioned the building of the MOSE dam in the Venice lagoon but for many years the constructions have been capped. After years of disuse in Autumn 2019 when the flood came along the city was 'drowning'. But what will it be like towards the end of this century, a rising sea level with one or worse perhaps two meters..? A second Atlantis.....Ellen Grael was present during the International discussion draft organized by Europe Nostra and the European Heritage Hub community to put Venice in the Heart of Culture and Climate Action launched at 28 September 2023.
EXHIBITION
To conduct the Water& Arts project is to create a great accessibility in an inviting exhibition space in Italy. Having an open communication to introduce skills via ART and Water- expertise. Ellen Grael is open for having collaborations and sponsorships who are interested to be part in the project. Water- managements who dealing with Topics like climate change and rising Sea Level, innovations and constructing barriers. The involved parties are going to be well announced and public visible via banners, posters and other promotional tools.
Ellen Grael is founder of the project with 'The waters of Venice' series.
Gerhard Winters is senior Engineering and Geohydrology advisor Cruxbv in Amsterdam
Gerhard is having a large connection network with CKI and other construction companies like Uhrig Bau in Germany and Energy EDW.
Paul Enkelaar is photographer and film maker: https://paulenkelaarfilms.nl
is a documentary filmmaker, cameraman and stills photographer and has 25 years of experiences working in countries around the world. Paul made a series of Photo’s in Venice when having high tide and floods.
Other contacts:
Luca Berta, director Venice Art Factory
For several years Grael having personal contact with Luca Berta and last September when she was in Venice during the European Cultural Heritage conference Luca talked about exhibition posibilites . Luca Berta is director of Venice Art Factory and gallery. And besides being the administrator of many venues in Venice having an exhibition overall Services. www.veniceartfactory.org
UNESCO, World Heritage Center in Paris, the Culture Sector
Europa Nostra team is based in The Haque presented by Silvie Barends Malinovskà. Europa Nostra has its focus, besides Venice, to other historical cities in the danger zone. Ellen had zoom meetings with Europa Nostra.
THETIS Ing. Giovanni Zarotti engineering concerning the Mose Dam located at the Venetian Arsenal. During the European Heritage Hub Summit Mr. Zarotti gave a conference about the Mose Dam and its slow down developments and constructions over the years reasons why its outmoded. https://www.thetis.it
Alexandra Mitsotaki, president and co-founder of WHF. World Human Forum.
Erminia Sciacchitano, senior advisor Italian Ministry of Culture
George van der Meulen. director of Compuplan Knowledge Institute CKI -Water management.