A large-scale contemporary art installation by the Danish collective SUPERFLEX will take over the courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi in Florence from 14 April to 2 August 2026, offering a reflection on climate change and the future relationship between humans and the environment.
Titled There Are Other Fish In The Sea, the project has been developed specifically for the Renaissance palace and is promoted by the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi together with the Fondazione Hillary Merkus Recordati.
An installation inspired by rising sea levels
The work consists of eight large pink travertine columns placed within a shallow pool of water in the courtyard. The structure reflects the surrounding architecture and sky, creating a visual dialogue between the historic building and the contemporary intervention.
The installation imagines a future in which rising sea levels reshape cities and human-built environments. In this scenario, marine species are considered as potential future inhabitants of urban spaces, shifting the focus away from a human-centred perspective.
The project coincides with the 60th anniversary of the 1966 flood that severely affected Florence, using that historical event as a reference point to reconsider how cities coexist with natural forces.
Architecture designed for multiple species
SUPERFLEX’s work is based on the concept of “interspecies architecture”, an approach that considers the needs of animals and ecosystems alongside those of humans.
The columns are designed with irregular surfaces and multiple angles, increasing the available area for marine life to attach and grow. This design reflects scientific observations that biodiversity tends to develop around complex surfaces in marine environments.
The installation draws on a broader “Interspecies Architectural Manifesto”, a set of principles developed by the collective that encourages new ways of designing buildings in response to environmental change.
A dialogue between past and future
By placing this installation in the courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi, one of Florence’s most recognisable Renaissance buildings, the project creates a contrast between historical architecture and speculative future scenarios.
The courtyard, originally conceived as a closed and defensive space, is reinterpreted as an open environment where natural elements and different species could coexist. The intervention is part of the Palazzo Strozzi Future Art programme, which supports contemporary projects engaging with historical contexts.
About SUPERFLEX
Founded in 1993, SUPERFLEX is a Danish artist collective known for projects that address social, economic and environmental issues through a wide range of formats, from installations to public infrastructure.
Their work often involves collaboration with scientists, local communities and other disciplines, aiming to rethink how art can interact with real-world systems and challenges.
Practical information
- Exhibition: SUPERFLEX. There Are Other Fish In The Sea
- Location: Courtyard, Palazzo Strozzi, Florence
- Dates: 14 April – 2 August 2026
- Access: Included in Palazzo Strozzi admission (details on the official website)
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