Pistoletto’s “Venus of rags” returns to Naples

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Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Venus of rags” returns, more imposing than before, in Piazza Municipio, in Naples. It becomes a symbol of resistance, hope and rebirth: it was in fact reinstalled and inaugurated less than eight months after the fire that destroyed the first installation. The Piedmontese artist immediately expressed his desire to reconstruct the work and the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, supported his project. The statue donated by PIstoletto will be acquired by the Municipality.

History

The first “Venus of Rags” was installed in the same place on 28 June 2023. And already then it had an important symbolic force: the opening of the city of Naples to contemporary art, the importance of art for urban regeneration and society of the city. And above all, with it the ninety-year-old artist wanted to send a message of attention to the environment, consumption and recovery. Precisely in that city which in a not too distant time had been hit by a dramatic waste emergency.

The fire

But only 14 days after the installation, on July 12, the work of art was destroyed in a fire, started at 5 in the morning by a psychologically fragile young homeless man, who was soon intercepted and accused of arson and destruction of cultural property. . The news caused dismay. But the author of the work decided to propose it again and give it back.

The new installation

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the mayor of the Municipality of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, the artist Michelangelo Pistoletto, the mayor’s advisor and curator of Napoli Contemporanea, Vincenzo Trione and the vice-president of Altra Napoli EF, Antonio Roberto Lucidi.

Funds for the least fortunate: disabled people and prisoners

To confirm the link between the work and the community, after the fire, the Other Naples launched a crowdfunding campaign – «Let’s rebuild it!» – which received the support of many citizens. However, by decision of the artist, the funds obtained from the crowdfunding campaign were allocated to two associations with social objectives present in the area: the “La Scintilla” association (which works for the protection, accompaniment, socialization and the autonomy of people suffering from intellectual disabilities) and the “Lazzarelle” Social Cooperative, committed to the recovery, through the reintegration into qualified work projects, of women in prison.