JR's New Venice Installation Transforms Ca' da Mosto Facade into Collective Banquet

French artist JR returns to Venice with a monumental participatory project titled 'Il Gesto', set to debut on May 5, 2026, during the opening week of the 61st Venice Biennale. The work reinterprets Paolo Veronese's 1563 painting 'The Wedding Feast at Cana' through contemporary portraits of 176 individuals linked to Refettorio Paris, a community culinary platform focused on anti-waste and social inclusion. The facade of Palazzo Ca' da Mosto, home to The Venice Venice Hotel, will be temporarily covered with the faces of participants, visible from the Grand Canal and Rialto area from May 5 to 9. Inside, the installation continues at the Secondo Piano Nobile, featuring a monumental tapestry measuring 4.30 by 7.80 meters woven by master Giovanni Bonotto and produced by Fondazione Bonotto. The tapestry uses recycled plastic, virgin wool, organic cotton, and washi paper, requiring about 600 hours of production, bridging Venetian textile heritage with contemporary experimentation and environmental responsibility. Each photographed face carries a recorded voice, creating an audio-visual archive that restores dignity to marginalized individuals. The project is realized with Refettorio Paris and Food for Soul as ethical partner. The internal installation is accessible by reservation with a voluntary donation supporting a local charity. JR previously created 'L'Observatoire' in 2024 with Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and 'Dreams in Transit' in 2025 on the Procuratie of Piazza San Marco.