Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) is a project to physicalize the immaterial networks and social links between global cities through tangible sculptural form. In concept, it takes shape as a migrant, itinerant boat on the sea of collective data and recent media awareness of the human suffering which results from forced international mobilization. As a gesture of healing the rift between remote and proximate experience of the current refugee crisis and to support the call for freedom from oppressive political and economic conditions, the project suggests remedy in shared productivity, collective action and symbolic transport.

The project title, Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) is borrowed from the ancient Roman name for the Mediterranean Ocean, which was used to express the power of the empire and its dominion over the area. The term has strong historical ties to both progressive and conservative political movements in Italy, but has recently been embraced more expansively by EU human rights organizations to bring attention and relief to the plight of Syrian, Libyan and African refugees who have died in increasing numbers on route to Italy’s southern shores in hope of a better life.

Object Empathies: Workshops

In fall 2016 development of Mare Nostrum continued with students in my Object Empathies studio fabricating a sculpture based on the 3D models created by the IUAV students in Venice in summer 2016.Initially an empty boat model, the sculpture is currently being shaped over time and location in educational and technical workshops in various cities globally, where participants contribute their own objects to the sculpture which become fused to it as part of the aggregate, collective form.

University of Venice IUAV / Wave

Cornell University/Department of Art

Adelphi University/COPE NYC

OBJECT DATABASE

WAVe 2016 Workshop, University of Venice (IUAV)