Swimming Cities in Slovenia

Last year The Captain and I saw The Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea, a beautiful art-scrap-flotilla created by the artist SWOON and other artists and friends.

This year, the group will be coming to Slovenia of all places, but they need help. They will be here in just a little over a month and they don't have a space to stay or build (someone here was helping them, but flaked). See images from their last two voyages and read their call for support below. All help is MUCH appreciated. You can write directly to the email below or email me.

Dear Friends,
Last year a group of artists/friends built sculptural raft boats and traveled down the Hudson River to New York City. This year some of those same people will build 3 large sculptural rafts to navigate the Adriatic. Their ships our en route to Koper, and they're looking for a place to build and friends to help and to house them. This is happening soon! Build in April, launch May 7. Please spread the word! If you have ideas for a friendly build location and housing for the artists involved nearby please contact info@swimmingcities.org.
Thank you so much!
your new friends,
the Swimming Cities crew

The Swimming Cities of Serenissima is a fleet of three intricately hand-crafted vessels that will navigate the Adriatic Sea from the Karst region of Slovenia to Venice, Italy in May of 2009. Designed by the artist SWOON, the floating sculptures are descendants of the Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea (Hudson River, 2008) and the Miss Rockaway Armada (Mississippi River, 2006 and 2007). The Swimming Cities of Serenissima are built from salvaged materials, including modified Mercedes car motors with long-tail propellers. For Swimming Cities, SWOON will collaborate with 30 artists from the United States. As the Swimming Cities move toward Venice, the crew will collect and install keepsakes in an ark-like cabinet of wonders that will be on display on the boats when they arrive. Once in Venice, the boats and crew will offer intimate performances that incorporate music, shadow puppetry, and story. The project is produced with the assistance of Deitch Projects, Paper Monster and Black Rat Press.

Miss Rockaway Armada (2007)


The Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea (2008)










SWOON's artwork