Venus of the Rags

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Venus of the Rags (Italian: Venere degli stracci) is a mixed media sculpture by Michelangelo Pistoletto. [1] The piece is intended as a critique of contemporary consumerism. [1]

The work consists of a statue of the Roman Goddess Venus next to a pile of rags. [1]

2023 Naples version

In 2023 a giant version of the work was installed in the Piazza del Municipio in Naples in June 2023. [2] It was destroyed by suspected arson two weeks after its installation. [2] Pistoletto said that his first reaction to the destruction of the piece was " ... a strong control of emotion because reason must always win for me". He plans to recreate the work and crowdsourcing funding has begun. [2] The Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi said that " ... the work will be redone. Violence and vandalism will not stop art, regeneration and culture in Naples". [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Michelangelo Pistoletto: Venus of the Rags". Tate. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Schrader, Adam (12 July 2023). "An Alleged Arson Attack Has Destroyed Michelangelo Pistoletto's 'Venus Of The Rags' Installation in Naples". ARTnews . Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.