Venice's iconic St. Mark's Square has become home to a powerful large-scale art installation featuring 100 oversized black-and-white portraits of migrants displayed on the historic Procuratie facade. The project, titled "Dreams in Transit," will remain on display until September 7th, 2025, bringing the stories and aspirations of recently arrived migrants to one of the world's most recognizable public spaces.
Curated by the Art for Action Foundation and drawing inspiration from JR's renowned Inside Out Project, the installation transforms the facade of the historic Procuratie building with striking oversized portraits. By placing this work on one of Venice's most iconic landmarks, the project deliberately brings the complex subject of migration into the symbolic heart of the city, confronting visitors and passersby with themes of both absence and belonging.
The portraits are the result of an extensive eight-month journey across Europe undertaken by filmmaker and artist Sarah Makharine, who personally met with 100 recently arrived migrants to listen to their individual stories and document their dreams for the future. What makes these portraits particularly striking is their unconventional approach – each subject is photographed from behind, gazing outward toward an unseen horizon. This unique perspective intentionally shifts attention away from facial identity and individual recognition toward a collective human experience, powerfully evoking both the act of departure and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
The installation serves as a key component of "After Migration," a comprehensive program launched during the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale that examines the long-term social, cultural, and political dimensions of global migration. The project also connects with the important work of The Human Safety Net's For Refugees initiative, which has provided crucial support to over 13,000 refugees across six countries since 2017 through entrepreneurship programs and professional training opportunities.
Beyond the public square display, the exhibition extends into The Home of The Human Safety Net, where "Dreams in Transit" continues with an expanded indoor presentation running until March 15th, 2026. Inside this space, various artists and filmmakers further explore the complex themes of displacement and identity through different creative mediums. Sarah Makharine presents her video work "Echoes of Dreams," while additional works by renowned artists Ange Leccia, Lorraine de Sagazan, Anouk Maugein, and the late Leila Alaoui offer diverse and contrasting perspectives on migration's deeply personal and collective narratives.
The indoor installations trace the intricate ways in which stories of movement and loss intersect with human resilience and creative expression. A special conference, organized in partnership with the International Panel on Social Progress, forms another crucial part of the comprehensive program. This gathering brings together associations, researchers, and experts at The Home of The Human Safety Net to explore and discuss the enduring consequences and impacts of global migration patterns.
During the prestigious Venice Film Festival, the acclaimed short film "Sweet Refuge," directed by Maryam Mir and already the recipient of nine international awards, will be screened as part of the program. The screening will be followed by an in-depth discussion with producer and curator Anadil Hossain, providing audiences with additional insight into the film's creation and themes.
By strategically occupying Venice's central square and transforming one of its most historic facades, "Dreams in Transit" makes a powerful statement that migration is not a distant or abstract issue, but rather a subject that fundamentally shapes our shared public sphere and collective human experience. The installation forces viewers to confront the reality that migration stories are an integral part of our contemporary world, deserving of visibility and understanding in the most prominent public spaces.
