Performance 'La grande sete' tackles water crisis in Palermo

On October 21, 2018, the duo Vinci/Galesi (Sasha Vinci, b. 1980; Maria Grazia Galesi, b. 1988) performed 'La grande sete' at the monumental church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo in Palermo. Curated by Lori Adragna and Serena Ribaudo, the work was created specifically for the venue and the city as a collateral event of Manifesta 12. The performance reflects on 'La grande sete di Sicilia' (The Great Thirst of Sicily), a social issue concerning the legality of public water management. Due to pollution, criminal mismanagement, and illogical waste, water is expected to become one of humanity's most severe problems. International intervention plans are underway to address the water emergency. The performance also draws inspiration from Palermo's ancient name, Zyz, meaning 'Flower' in Phoenician, which refers to the city's original urban layout shaped by the Kemonia and Papireto rivers, resembling a flower's profile.