In a healing Rome, modern art goes back… to its squares

Rome is preparing for the return of tourists by changing its looks, so to say, and by tapping into the great world of art – be it contemporary or classical – to offer some respite to these challenging times we’re living.

In the upcoming weeks, many museums and galleries will be launching their new temporary exhibitions – and stay tuned for some wonderful surprises! – and collaborating with artists who will contribute with their works so as to “rejuvenate” the old city.

A Spanish artists comes bearing gifts!

One of such personalities is prominent Spanish artist Manolo Valdès, who will be exhibiting his works at world-known Palazzo Cipolla, down Via del Corso.

While his show is due to open on October 14, this sculptor hailing from Valencia will be positioning some of his largest artworks in some of the most well known squares of central Rome, changing completely the atmosphere and looks of these piazzas.

The concept is simple yet poignant – after months during which socialising in the piazzas was not only prohibited but risky, Manolo Valdès will install some of his statues in those very spaces, meaning to attract locals as well as those travelers from out of Rome or abroad who will be visiting the Eternal City in the coming months.

People will reclaim those spaces, the very essence of social living in Italian and Mediterranean societies, at the same time revitalizing them, with statues giving onlookers new perspectives on the spaces they know so well.

Women in charge… Of Rome’s squares

All of the works picked by Valdès for this cultural experiment depict women: La Pamela and Clio Dorada will be “conversing” on Piazza San Silvestro, a square which recent refurbishment has sparked controversy as no monuments or even trees were included in the final project.

At a short distance, on Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, a row of ten identical figures called Reina Mariana will appear as if marching, almost mimicking those Romans using the square to rush to work.

Finally, on Piazza della Pilotta (all squares have been chosen for their vicinity to Palazzo Cipolla) Reina II and Irene will fill the space opposite the Pontifical Biblical Institute.

For all of those interested, the Manolo Valdes exhibition will be on show until January 10, 2021.

More open-air artworks in Villa Borghese

The Manolo Valdès project follows closely another similar undertaking in nearby Villa Borghese, where art curator Costantino D’Orazio has set up a group display called “Back to Nature“: outdoor creations by the likes of Mario Merz, Mimmo Paladino, Benedetto Pietromarchi, Nico Vascellari and more will be exhibited in the park from September 15 to December 15: a  brilliant idea to wander around the park, rediscovering it as one looks for installations.