The Alda Fendi Foundation in
March will host an art installation conceived by Raffaele Curi
and titled 'Farsi', based on the uproar over statues that were
covered by drywall boxes during Iranian President Hassan
Rouhani's recent visit to Rome.
Members of Premier Matteo Renzi's team at Palazzo Chigi are
still investigating the matter, but meanwhile, Alda Fendi said
she's interested in purchasing the boxes.
"Those boxes are marvelous," Fendi said.
"Italy can permit itself to cover even statues, and it's
the only country that can do so. And each time it's a birth of
art: the boxes are a true installation," she said.
Curi's installation is titled in reference to the language
of Iran, and is accompanied by verses from 11th-century Persian
poet Omar Khayyam.
"Covering up in order to rediscover the enjoyment of
unveiling is the idea at the heart of the installation," Curi
said.
"After all, Titian decided to show Sacred Love and cover up
Profane Love. Even the title of the installation, 'Farsi', lurks
partly behind a screen".
Fendi lauded the director of premier's ceremonial office,
Ilva Sapora, and said the attention from the statues being
covered actually brought positive attention to the Capitoline
Museums where the statues are housed.
"It's an artistic choice that shows Italians' vivacity and
unpredictability," Fendi said.
"Aside from the debate, the immediate effect of the choice
made in honour of the Persian president has been an increase in
the number of visitors to the museums," she said.
"Anything that goes against the world's deafness to culture
is good, even a little scandal".
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