It has been said that travelling is an art, but also that art is like a trip. A journey by sea, according to the Venice PassengersTerminal which, until September 30, offers cruise passengerspassing-through or stopping over its structures, a chance toadmire the sculptures by Gianmaria Potenza shown in theexhibition called “The harbour for Art” and rightfully so. Fifteen giant bronze sculptures, the favourite material of theVenetian artist, welcome visitors on the Palazzo and Isonzoquays, while the smaller works are kept at the first floor near the Torcello hall. The achievement is a homage to the greatmaestro, to his attachment to the city of Venice and his love forthe vastness of the sea, the bustling of harbours, and complex spaces of ships; elements which have inspired him since theearly Seventies, when he started sculpturing in cooperationwith world famous architects (like Giò Ponti, Nervi, Vieti andJoe Farcus) in accomplishing and mounting decorationsonboard most famous Italian turbine ships and cruise ships.

In fact, Gianmaria Potenza combines craftsmanship with Art,recognisable by its skilfulness and artistry, which is recognis-able in his ever new experiments with techniques and lan-guages. So much so that the Venetian sculptor works have beenexhibited exactly eight times at the Biennale di Venezia andcan boast over one hundred personal exhibitions to his credit. Famous for having revolutionized use of materials typical of Venetian artistic traditions, Gianmaria Potenza gives the bestof himself yet, through his bronze sculptures. Sculptures thatcan be various meters or just few centimetres high, slendershaped, covered by small geometrical markings which appearalmost as primitive writings. Nature is the main source of hisinspirations: fruits, seeds and stars are the recurrent subjects inhis works.

Gianmaria Potenza art exhibit, cared for by GiancarloCaramella, opens for visits from the 7th through the 9th of Juneeven to non-cruising public, has been accomplished throughthe patronage of the Veneto Regionm, the Province and City ofVenice. The exhibit fits well with the new philosophy of VenicePassengers Terminal: always more cultural projects to allowthe rest of the world to get acquainted with Venetian artthrough its own showcase. The public at the exhibit will beanything but restricted or elite: in 2007 Venice PassengersTerminal expects the visit or stopovers of close to one millioncruise passengers of every nationality.

by the Press Office of Venezia Terminal Passeggeri