A new monumental art installation, “Tu si ‘na cosa grande,” by the late Gaetano Pesce, has been unveiled in Piazza Municipio, Naples. The artwork, a towering 12-meter-tall stylized Pulcinella, stands alongside another piece titled “La Freccia nel Cuore.” Together, these two sculptures form a site-specific installation that pays homage to Naples’ cultural heritage. Pesce, an acclaimed designer and artist, sadly passed away in April, leaving the second sculpture to be completed posthumously. The cost of the installation, which replaces the previously burned “Venere degli Stracci,” amounted to approximately €200,000.
The installation is part of the “Napoli Contemporanea” project, a public art initiative funded by the Campania Region’s cultural development program. This program has brought significant artistic works to the city’s public spaces, with Pesce’s Pulcinella joining other notable pieces, including Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Venere degli Stracci” and Paolo Sorrentino’s illuminated colonnade at Piazza del Plebiscito. The project seeks to enhance the city’s cultural landscape and attract both locals and tourists alike.
Gaetano Pesce, celebrated for his avant-garde designs, was personally invited by the City of Naples to create this piece, reflecting his deep affection for the city. Despite his passing before the work’s completion, Naples’ mayor, Gaetano Manfredi, ensured the project’s realization, considering it a tribute to Pesce’s artistic legacy. The artwork will remain on display in Piazza Municipio until December 20th.
While the installation has garnered attention for its sheer scale and artistic merit, it has also sparked online debates. Critics have compared the cylindrical Pulcinella’s shape to phallic imagery, leading to a flood of humorous memes across social media. However, these discussions have not diminished the installation’s appeal, as it continues to draw crowds eager to witness Pesce’s final work.
Security measures around the artwork have been heightened following the arson that destroyed Pistoletto’s previous installation. The City of Naples has implemented a non-armed security detail and comprehensive insurance coverage to protect Pesce’s piece during its temporary exhibition.
