From the 28 June Piazza Municipio in Naples had hosted theVenus of the Rags"of Michelangelo Pistoletto. This work, born from the brilliance of the original artist of Piemonte and created in 1967, reflects the desire for protest characteristic of the second half of the decade of the 60s.
The installation is part of the exhibition “Contemporary Naples“, Organized by Vincent Trione, consultant to the mayor for contemporary art and museums. The intent of the exhibition is to intensify the orientation contemporary of the city, through a series of initiatives specifically designed for public spaces and museums.
Unfortunately, during the night between 11 and 12 July 2023 the work was completely burned. Now nothing remains but the metal structure that supported it. The fire appears to be arson. One was opened fundraising to reconstruct the work.
When and where was it located in Naples?
Although already present, the official inauguration starts from 28 June 2023, Wednesday. On that date, the Piazza Municipio in Naples will become the home of “La Venere degli Stracci”, an artistic work of great depth created by Michelangelo Pistoletto in 1967.
Why was this work chosen?
The installation is part of the exhibition "Contemporary Naples“, edited by Vincent Trione, mayor's adviser for matters concerning modern art and museums. This event is one element of a larger program aimed at enhancing the modernity of the city through artistic manifestations designed specifically for open spaces and museum sites.
What did the work in Piazza Municipio represent?
Il meaning of "The Venus of the Rags" It lies in discussion panel between the classic elegance of the statue of Venus and the everyday banality of the mountain of rags. This contrast underlines the importance and the ordinary, the aesthetic aspect of the color compared to the white and marble surface of the statue, the solidity of the marble block compared to the lightness of the rag fabric.
“The Venus of the Rags” is an emblem of thePoor art, an artistic movement that rejects traditional art in favor of the use of materials deemed anti-artistic and humble. The rags, in their "poverty", express the desire to incorporate all the elements of life into art. The parallel made by pistol between a work of neoclassical style, a symbol of beauty in Western art, and the pile of rags represents the tension between past and present, between the historic and the contemporary.
The fire who destroyed the Venus of the Rags
This morning at 5.30 Pistoletto's Venus of rags went up in flames. I doubt the Fire Brigade intervened. Still don't know if it was a hooligan raid. pic.twitter.com/mxBLG896Z0
- Francesco Borrelli (@NotizieFrance) July 12, 2023
In the night between the 11 and the 12 July 2023, Venus of the Rags it irretrievably caught fire. Nothing remains of the work. Authorities are still investigating to establish whether the fire was a malicious act. The trail of the act of vandalism is being followed and this is also confirmed by the Councilor for Security of the City of Naples, the former Prefect Antonio De Iesu:
«A very serious fact and definitely an act of vandalism. Forensic officers are viewing the cameras and we hope to have some elements. But the serious fact, beyond the investigations that will be made, is that this city still does not demonstrate the maturity that a European city would instead impose. In this city the degeneration connected to this deviance, to youth discomfort is dominating. It's not an easy topic to deal with."
Who set fire to the Venus of the Rags
Un homeless man, aged 32 and with initials SI, is the person accused of having set fire to the work of art "Venus of rags" by Michelangelo Pistoletto, in Naples, reducing it to ashes. The man was located in a assistance center in Via Marina, with charges of causing a fire and having damaged property of cultural importance. The investigations conducted by the Flying Squad and the Decumani Commissariat led to the identification and tracing of the individual thanks to video surveillance recordings.
One of these video lesson it shows the individual pulling out a lighter and setting fire to the clothes that covered the statue.
The event has occurred around 5:30 in the morning, when Piazza del Municipio was still empty. Despite the evidence, the man denied any involvement, saying he had no knowledge of the event. It will soon be heard again by the judge for the preliminary investigations to confirm his arrest.
The Venus of the Rags should have been fireproof
There are many citizens who ask themselves a question about the work that was presented covered with fireproof technical material, yet caught fire easily. Let us recall the words in this regard:
In the meantime, make sure Sergio Locoratolo, coordinator of cultural activities for the municipality that oversaw the project, the rag part is fireproof: «The cloths that make it up have been coated with a special material that neutralize the flames; already in the production phase we thought about how to defend it not only from vandals but also from a certain type of agents weather».
Locoratolo then reports that, in accordance with Antonio De Iesu, Councilor for Security, a 24-hour patrol of the site has been thought of: "There will be particular attention to sculpture".
Fundraising to rebuild Venere degli Stracci
It is possible to participate to raise funds for the restoration of the sculpture entitled “Venus of rags” created by Michelangelo Pistoletto.
To contribute, it is necessary carry out a payment through transfer bank account on the current account at the Naples branch of Bank Intesa. The account is held in the name of “L'Altra Napoli”, a philanthropic organization dedicated to raising funds for charitable causes.
At the time of payment, it is important to specify the reason for payment “The Other Naples for the Venus”. The IBAN coordinates to be used to make the transfer are: IT44O0306909606100000197564.
