A crystal for peace: Mariko Mori's new work in Venice

Mariko Mori, renowned Japanese artist, presents her new installation Peace Crystal in Venice, in the garden of Palazzo Corner della Ca’ Granda. This work will be visible from the Grand Canal and accessible free to the public by reservation from June 15 to October 7. Peace Crystal aims to activate a reflection on peace and draws inspiration from Buddhist philosophy, symbolizing the body as the container of the eternal soul, which goes through cycles of life, death and rebirth.

At the center of Peace Crystal is a five-foot-six-inch crystal, the average height of modern man, balanced on its narrowest point. This delicate balance represents the fragility and preciousness of peace and human life. The choice of crystal, a pure and transparent material, evokes the idea of clarity and purity of soul. A scaled-down model of the sculpture, which will be on view from June 15, was unveiled in Venice today.

After the Venetian exhibition, the work will be donated to Ethiopia and permanently installed in a cave as a tribute to the origins of humanity that date back to this region, considered the cradle of human evolution. This symbolic gesture underscores the importance of recognizing and honoring humanity’s common roots, promoting a universal message of peace and unity. Peace Crystal is the third project in the Faou Foundation’s series of monumental public installations, which aims to place six site-specific works in unique ecological settings, engaging local communities on each continent. These sculptures, placed in pristine natural settings, serve as prayers for harmony and reminders of the duty to protect and revere Earth’s treasures.

In parallel with the Venetian installation, Mariko Mori is also featured in the Janus exhibition at Palazzo Diedo, open until Nov. 24. In this exhibition, it is possible to explore the meaning of Peace Crystal and learn more about the artist’s previous installations in Japan and Brazil. Among the works on display are a model of Peace Crystal and a scroll illustrating the work. Through his installation, Mori invites the public to meditate on the fragility and beauty of human life, the importance of our common roots and the need to promote peace and harmony. The exhibition in Venice and the subsequent donation to Ethiopia are thus intended to represent a symbolic journey that unites art, spirituality and human history.

A crystal for peace: Mariko Mori's new work in Venice

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