Venice Design Biennial 2021

‘Women Walk on Water’ at The Venice Design Biennial 2021

Walking on Water - Conceptual shoes - Jo Cope 2021

Walking on Water is a live performance by UK artist and conceptual shoe designer Jo Cope which will take place on the roof top of T Fondaco over looking the water and the famous Rialto bridge for the Venice Design Biennial.

This all female performance including dancers, shoe makers and an operatic singers will bring to life Jo Copes unique conceptual fashion interpretation of the book 'Working Women in Early Modern Venice' by Monica Chojnacka.

The performance has been developed over the last year in conjunction with VDB to celebrate two key aspects of Venetian history- Its women and its most historical slipper.

As part of this project and performance Jo Cope has collaborated with Piedaterre the oldest slipper makers in Venice, situated centre stage will be a female artisan who will be hand crafting Furlane slippers while dancers perform around her. The performance which will take place for the public between 21-22nd May on the the roof top of T Fondaco 6 times per day will be accompanied by renowned Italian soprano singer Lieta Naccari and four female dancers of diverse age and ethnic origins all who currently live in Venice.

Furlane Slippers by Piedaterre - project partners in Venice

Walking on Water performance on the roof top of T Fondaco Venice

Walking on Water performance by Jo Cope - photography Veronika Motulko