A giant 12-metre violin boat just sailed through the canals of Venice

20 September 2021, 12:16

Boat shaped like a violin is launched in Venice

The timeless design of a violin becomes a 12-metre virtuosic vessel, thanks to this inspired sculptor.

If you’re sitting by the waterways of Venice this autumn, and see a massive violin sailing by, you may well think you’ve had one too many aperol spritz. But fear not, it’s all part of a new work of art.

The floating fiddle is the brainchild of Venetian artist and sculptor Livio De Marchi, who for decades has created floating works for Italy’s canaled cultural centre.

Read more: This Luthier paints masterpieces of art onto his violins and they’re so beautiful

Many months in the making, the gargantuan instrument has just been launched for the first time. It measures 12 metres in length, with a width of 4 metres. De Marchi describes it as ‘Noah’s Violin.’

The project is being supported by the Venice Development Consortium, who clearly want to celebrate their city’s historic connection to music, and create a highly instgrammable moment while doing so.

The violin boat was formally launched in September and has been spotted sailing around Venice.

In his artistic career, De Marchi worked first in marble, then bronze, and most recently in wood. He has completed a number of what he calls Giant Works, each with a touch of the ironic and bizarre. Floating in water is a definite theme (he’s in Venice, after all) in his floating cars, ‘paper’ cranes, and a giant boat in the form of shoe.

His latest keeps up the playful juxtaposition between objects and the canal water. And we have to say, we love it.