Naples, Pistoletto's new Venus of rags unveiled: reconstructed at artist's expense

The new Venus of rags, a monumental-scale version of Michelangelo Pistoletto’s work, was reinstalled and unveiled today in Naples’ Piazza Municipio, at the artist’s expense. After the fire that affected the first installation, the artist expressed his willingness to rebuild the work and the mayor to support its reinstallation. Pistoletto wanted to donate the work to reaffirm his connection with Naples and his desire to use art as an educational and social transformation tool. The inauguration was attended by Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, artist Pistoletto, curator Vincenzo Trione and vice president Antonio Roberto Lucidi of Altra Napoli EF.

After the artist’s decision, the funds raised from the collective funding campaign (in fact, the Altra Napoli association had started a crowdfunding campaign to support the reconstruction of the work), were allocated to two associations with social purposes in the area: the association “La Scintilla,” which works for the protection, accompaniment, socialization and serene autonomy of people with intellectual disabilities, and the Social Cooperative “Lazzarelle,” engaged in the recovery, through reintegration into qualified work projects, of women afflicted by the detention regime who want to be active protagonists of their change. The new Venus emphasizes the contemporary role of Naples and is part of a larger project, demonstrating how contemporary art can regenerate cities by involving the community. After three months in Piazza Municipio, the work will find a permanent location. Technical possibilities are being examined in the Church of St. Peter in Aram, which could thus be further enhanced as an open space for contemporary art.

“We strongly wanted to relocate the Venus of Rags in Piazza Municipio to reaffirm the fundamental principle of public and free art as a tool for beauty and inclusion. The work had activated a debate in public opinion especially among the younger generations sensitive to environmental protection and it was right to resume that path. I thank master Pistoletto for the noble choice of donating the Venus to the city, l’Altra Napoli for the fundraising for concrete support to the most fragile people, as well as Archbishop Battaglia for his willingness to permanently host the work at the end of its placement in the square. All essential components for a Naples that opens to the outside world by combining the power of art with the duty of social inclusion,” says Mayor Gaetano Manfredi.

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“The Venus of rags is resurrected. In appearance, identical: in image, in size, in weight, in composition, in materials used. The new Venus, however, is supported by the wreckage that survived the July 12 fire, which has undergone careful restoration and rehabilitation. Like a phoenix Arabian rose from its own ashes. It is no longer ”just“ a work of art, the Venus installed in Town Hall Square. It is a symbol. Of resistance. Of rebirth. Of stubborn hope,” says Councilman Vincenzo Trione.

“I am happy that the reconstruction of the Venus of rags in Municipio Square brings care, benefit and salvation to so many people in need. May the rags of the Venus turn into the money needed to carry out the recovery, regeneration and reintegration initiatives undertaken,” says artist Michelangelo Pistoletto.

“The Venus of rags is returning to Naples. To relaunch an artistic message that is also one of social rebirth. Maestro Pistoletto, who has generously and selflessly donated his work to the city, asked that the fundraiser promoted by Altra Napoli be donated to projects of social interest. Thus, two entities were chosen from among the many possible and deserving ones, namely the ”Le Lazzarelle“ Cooperative and the ”La Scintilla“ Association, to which to donate the entire amount raised. These are projects that focus on supporting disability and inclusion. In addition, for them, in agreement with Maestro Pistoletto, a path has been undertaken for which, a major philanthropic foundation has been asked for significant financial intervention in support of their initiatives, and currently, the preliminary investigation is well underway and we are confident in its outcome,” says Altra Napoli EF Vice President Antonio Roberto Lucidi.

Naples, Pistoletto's new Venus of rags unveiled: reconstructed at artist's expense

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