Building Bridges: A Sculpture That Speaks to the World.

In a city defined by its bridges, Lorenzo Quinn’s “Building Bridges”  is more than just another crossing—it’s a breathtaking symbol of unity. Installed in 2019 at the entrance of the Arsenale, this powerful sculpture features six pairs of massive white hands reaching across the canal, forming a striking arch.

Each pair represents a core value—Friendship, Faith, Help, Love, Hope, and Wisdom—reminding us that in a world often divided, connection is our greatest strength. 

The Vision Behind the Hands 

Lorenzo Quinn, the renowned Italian sculptor, is known for his large-scale, thought-provoking art.

In 2017, he unveiled “Support”, a striking sculpture with two giant hands rising from the Grand Canal, seemingly holding up the historic Ca’ Sagredo Hotel in Venice. This powerful piece was a statement on climate change, symbolizing how fragile our environment is and how much responsibility we have to protect it. 

The hands, cradling the building, represent our role in safeguarding the world. Quinn’s use of hands speaks to both the strength and responsibility we all share. The sculpture’s placement in the Grand Canal, where rising waters threaten Venice, makes the message even more urgent. 

With “Building Bridges”, Quinn shifts from the environment to human connection. This new piece features six pairs of hands reaching across the canal to form a bridge, symbolizing that our greatest strength lies in unity. It’s a reminder that in an increasingly divided world, we need to come together, just like a bridge brings two sides closer. 

Venice: A City Built on Unity 

Venice is the ideal backdrop for Quinn’s message of unity. For centuries, this iconic city has thrived through trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, showing us that true progress comes from collaboration. The very canals that make Venice unique are a testament to the city’s ability to connect people, ideas, and cultures across water. 

Quinn’s choice of hands as the central symbol makes perfect sense. Hands are not only expressive but also active—they’re how we reach out to others, build relationships, and, most importantly, create connections. Like the canals that connect the islands of Venice, unity isn’t something that just happens—it’s something we actively build, just like a bridge. In a world that often feels divided, Building Bridges reminds us that the act of coming together is what makes us stronger. 

More Than a Sculpture—A Call to Action 

In a time when division seems to be everywhere, Building Bridges is more than just a piece of art—it’s a powerful call to action. It pushes us to reconsider how we connect with one another, with our communities, and with the world around us. The massive hands reaching out in unity aren’t just a visual marvel—they’re a reminder that the bridges we build, both literally and metaphorically, shape the future we create. 

As you stand before these hands, clasped together in solidarity, you can’t help but ask yourself: What bridges are we building in our own lives? Are we creating connections that bring us closer, or are we allowing walls to divide us further? Building Bridges isn’t just about art—it’s about inspiring real change in how we interact with each other and the world. It’s an invitation to be part of the solution, to extend a hand and be a force for unity in a world that desperately needs it. 

Have you seen Building Bridges in person? What emotions did it evoke for you?  

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