Michelangelo Pistoletto's Venus of the Rags Makes a Comeback in Naples

The inauguration remains set for next March 6th - eight months later from the last time - but this morning the 'Venus of the Rags', the work of Michelangelo Pistoletto donated by the artist to the city, has already made its appearance again, which will remain on display for four months after becoming a news case in the past months. On July 12th last year, in fact, the previous Venus was burned by a homeless person, an arson, an apparently unmotivated act that had deprived the Neapolitans of the work. The new structure arrived this morning in anticipation of the complete realization that will conclude in the coming days. Today's is a Venus 2.0 - it was made with fireproof material, for its construction funds were also collected (about 22 thousand euros) thanks to donations from citizens - that looks out again in the city center: the work will be installed once again in Piazza Municipio, between Palazzo San Giacomo and the Maschio Angioino. A Venus that will continue to carry forward its message: the beauty of the world that clashes with the consumerism of the global community, a symbol of the decadence of our times. The inauguration event next March 6th will see the presence not only of the mayor Gaetano Manfredi but also of the author Michelangelo Pistoletto and Vincenzo Trione, curator of the 'Napoli contemporanea' project. The Venus will remain in its place for three months.