ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Ocean Space Opens in Venice's Restored San Lorenzo Church with Joan Jonas

exhibition · 2026-05-04

On March 23, 2019, Ocean Space, a hub for ocean and visual arts, will debut in the renovated Church of San Lorenzo in Venice, under the direction of TBA21-Academy and Markus Reymann. Originally established in 812 and redesigned in the late 16th century, the church had been closed for more than a century. Restoration efforts, overseen by Gionata Rizzi and Franco Pianon, included roof replacement and structural stabilization. The opening exhibition will showcase Joan Jonas's installation and feature a performance of "Moving Off the Land II" on May 7, alongside a discussion with marine biologist Sylvia Earle. Ocean Space aims to engage communities with ocean-related initiatives, led locally by David Hrankovic and supported by the LUMA Foundation.

Key facts

  • Ocean Space opens March 23, 2019, in Venice's Church of San Lorenzo.
  • The church was restored by TBA21-Academy, a Viennese foundation.
  • Markus Reymann is director of TBA21-Academy.
  • The church was founded in 812 by Orso Partecipazio and redesigned by Simone Sorella in the late 16th century.
  • Restoration included structural stabilization, roof replacement, and floor filling.
  • Gionata Rizzi and Franco Pianon supervised the restoration.
  • Inaugural exhibition features a large-scale commission by Joan Jonas.
  • Performance 'Moving Off the Land II' will be presented on May 7, 2019.
  • Joan Jonas will have a conversation with marine biologist Sylvia Earle.
  • OceanArchive digital platform will launch with materials from Jonas's show curated by Stefanie Hessler.
  • Local team is led by David Hrankovic, CEO of TBA21.
  • LUMA Foundation supports the first project.
  • Ocean Space aims to engage community on ocean-related issues.

Entities

Artists

  • Joan Jonas
  • Sylvia Earle
  • Stefanie Hessler
  • Markus Reymann
  • David Hrankovic
  • Gionata Rizzi
  • Franco Pianon
  • Simone Sorella
  • Orso Partecipazio
  • Renzo Piano
  • Luigi Nono
  • Marco Polo

Institutions

  • TBA21-Academy
  • TBA21
  • Ocean Space
  • Church of San Lorenzo
  • LUMA Foundation
  • National Geographic
  • Biennale Musica
  • Gavin Brown's Enterprise
  • Artribune
  • IUAV
  • DAMS

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Vienna
  • Austria
  • Castello
  • Arsenale
  • Giardini
  • New York
  • Rome
  • Reykjavík
  • Iceland

Sources