30 metres wide and 10 metres high, the installation Be Water dominates and reflects in the waters of Piscina Cozzi in Milan. An evocative mural that covers one of the interior facades of the first Italian indoor swimming pool, designed in 1934 by engineer Luigi Lorenzo Secchi and that, at the time, was an important example of avant-garde technology.  

Perhaps a reference to the art nuveau movement in a pop key, or perhaps inspired by Millais’ Ophelia, this representation of a woman immersed in water, with an enigmatic gaze turned towards the pool guests, is certainly in line with the style of the TOILETPAPER Home and the TOILETPAPER magazine, the collage magazine born from the minds of artist Maurizio Cattelan and photographer Pierpaolo Ferrari. 

This is not the first time that the Cozzi swimming pool has hosted works of art of cyclopean proportions: in 2019, Luke Jerram’s faithful reproduction of the Moon lit up the waters and attracted the interest of around 3,200 visitors in the opening weekend alone. 

In the hope that it will attract as many admiring glances, Be Water will be visible to the pool guests until September 2022. Promoted by the City of Milan and Milanosport, the project is realised in collaboration with the Spanish fashion brand Desigual.