Venice Streetworks 2003

In keeping with the history of Venice as a place where people pass through and leave traces and take away memories, the Streetworks installed there were originally created in somewhere else-in this case in New York City. On the sides of six small plexiglass cubes, each measuring 6 x 6 x 6 inches, were etched scenes of Venice-sometimes as discrete images, and sometimes as modular scenes involving several cube surfaces. Using an engraving tool, detailed images of building parts were made based on sources such as Ruskin's Stones of Venice, early century maps of Venice, and sketches of street scenes made on a visit to the city in 1998. These engravings were inked and a suite of prints made on handmade paper before taking the pieces to Venice. On arriving, the 'cubes' were taken to various sites around Venice that had historical connections or visual references and photographed. Sites included San Marco Square, Doges Palace, the Campanile, and sites along the canals. The pieces were also taken into various exhibitions that were part of the Venice Biennale where they were photographed among the 'real' artworks. Small notice cards describing the Streetworks and the locations where they would be installed were placed around Venice on June 18 and 19. On Sunday morning, June 22, each Streetwork cube was weighted with some stones of Venice, sealed, and carefully placed in canals in various locations around the city where they gently floated away.

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