Claudia Ponzi Transforms IKEA Billy Bookcase into Boat for Milan Performance

On a quiet sunny afternoon along the Darsena in Milan, artist Claudia Ponzi (born 1988 in Padua) launched a performance titled 'LIBARCA,' converting a classic IKEA Billy bookcase into a small boat. With assistance from naval designer Fabrizio Formicola, collaboration from AMNI, and curation by Elisa Raviola, Ponzi rowed the vessel across the canal wearing a sailor's cap. After returning to the starting point, guitarist Gabriele Franzi joined her on the boat. The performance stems from a childhood dream to cross a 700-meter stretch of sea between Albarella and Rosolina Mare in the province of Rovigo, a strong current area facing the Adriatic Sea. Following this test, Ponzi plans to realize the full crossing. The presentation text references the final performance of Dutch artist Bas Jan Ader, whose body was never found and whose boat drifted off the Irish coast. Ponzi's ambition and humility in engaging with such a memorable feat are noted.