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Michelangelo Pistoletto’s celebrated artwork, Venus of the Rags, was tragically destroyed in a deliberate act of arson in Naples, as reported by law enforcement authorities. The suspect, a homeless individual of 32 years of age, has been successfully apprehended.
The renowned installation, standing a striking ten meters tall, features an iconic statue of Venus – the Roman goddess symbolizing beauty, love and fertility – juxtaposed against a vibrant, sprawling mound of discarded clothing. The provocative artwork was conspicuously placed in the open air near the city hall, where it was inaugurated on June 28, with both the mayor and the artist himself gracing the ceremony.
Gaetano Manfredi, the Mayor of the southern Italian metropolis, expressed his shock and despair over the event, decrying the fire as “an act of egregious violence that leaves us speechless.” He further pledged to restore the ravaged installation, underscoring the city’s resilience in the face of such a malicious act.
Pistoletto himself was reportedly filled with profound sorrow and felt personally injured by this blatant act of vandalism, as revealed by Manfredi after a conversation with the artist. However, showing a remarkable spirit of resilience, the artist expressed his desire for the community to interpret this calamity as a rebirth opportunity.
Touched by the melancholy spectacle of the artwork’s remains, passers-by have started to place flowers and heartfelt messages near the ashes of the installation. As quoted in the Italian daily, Il Corriere della Sera, one note read, “May a better city rise from your ashes.”
The criminal investigation, which included an analysis of local surveillance footage, led to the arrest of a 32-year-old homeless man. He is suspected of committing the dual crimes of willful arson and destruction of artistic heritage, according to Il Corriere.
Multiple iterations of the “Venus of the Rags” exist globally, each version providing a striking contrast between the emblematic figures of classical culture and beauty, and the detritus of contemporary society.
Pistoletto, a nonagenarian, is widely recognized as a seminal figure in the Italian Arte Povera artistic movement. His works have been exhibited in numerous global metropolises such as New York, London and Paris, testifying to his international acclaim and significance.
With AFP
