Looking for the Ark

Pavilion of Venice

Out of the pool of the Venice Pavilion rises a two-meter-high sculpture of a child in black marble, grasping a bronze anchor, a symbol of security and stability. "Looking for the Ark", stands for hope and resilience. It anchors future generations while glancing at a horizon of possibilities. But the child struggles with the anchor. Seeking steadiness, it is in danger of collapsing under the anchor’s weight. The sculpture also reflects Venice's search for a sustainable future.

General information

Pool of the Venice Pavilion

Giardini della Biennale
Venezia, IT

Looking for the Ark

‘Looking for the Ark’ serves as a beacon of hope and steadfastness. The sculpture anchors future generations in the depths of heritage and history while looking towards the horizon of possibility. It seduces the visitor to discover the second part of Koen Vanmechelen’s installation. The artist presents ‘Noah’s Ark’, a contemporary interpretation of the iconic Venetian water bus — the Vaporetto — transformed into a floating gallery. This vessel, carrying a microcosm of our world, serves as a call to reimagine our world. It reflects the human condition and urges us to navigate the turbulent waters of our existence with awareness, responsibility, and hope.

'Looking for the Ark’ stands as a beacon of reflection in the city of water and wonder, beckoning artists, thinkers, and viewers alike to embark on a journey through art and the very core of what it means to be human. In Venice, a city perpetually on the brink of yesterday and tomorrow, the artworks offers a journey into the soul of humanity - a voyage across the seas of time, consciousness, and collective memory.

— Koen Vanmechelen