Italian artist Pistoletto's 'Venus of the Rags' destroyed in fire / Photo: STRINGER - ANSA/AFP
-
Sarkozy released from jail 'nightmare' pending appeal trial
-
COP30 has a mascot: the fiery-haired guardian of Brazil's forest
-
The Sudanese who told the world what happened in El-Fasher
-
Three things we learned from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
-
ASC acquire majority share in Atletico Madrid
-
Ferrari boss tells Hamilton, Leclerc to drive, not talk
-
Bank of England seeks to 'build trust' in stablecoins
-
China suspends 'special port fees' on US vessels for one year
-
French court frees ex-president Sarkozy from jail pending appeal
-
No link between paracetamol and autism, major review finds
-
Typhoon Fung-wong floods Philippine towns, leaves 5 dead in its wake
-
France's Sarkozy says prison a 'nightmare' as prosecutors seek his release
-
Guinness maker Diageo picks new CEO after US tariffs cloud
-
China suspends 'special port fees' on US vessels
-
US senators take major step toward ending record shutdown
-
Typhoon Fung-wong leaves flooded Philippine towns in its wake
-
From Club Med to Beverly Hills: Assinie, the Ivorian Riviera
-
The 'ordinary' Arnie? Glen Powell reboots 'The Running Man'
-
Typhoon exposes centuries-old shipwreck off Vietnam port
-
French court to decide if ex-president Sarkozy can leave jail
-
China lifts sanctions on US units of South Korea ship giant Hanwha
-
Japan death row inmate's sister still fighting, even after release
-
Taylor sparks Colts to Berlin win as Pats streak hits seven
-
Dreyer, Pellegrino lift San Diego to 4-0 MLS Cup playoff win over Portland
-
Indonesia names late dictator Suharto a national hero
-
Fourth New Zealand-West Indies T20 washed out
-
Tanzania Maasai fear VW 'greenwashing' carbon credit scheme
-
Chinese businesswoman faces jail after huge UK crypto seizure
-
Markets boosted by hopes for deal to end US shutdown
-
Amazon poised to host toughest climate talks in years
-
Ex-jihadist Syrian president due at White House for landmark talks
-
Saudi belly dancers break taboos behind closed doors
-
The AI revolution has a power problem
-
Big lips and botox: In Trump's world, fashion and makeup get political
-
NBA champion Thunder rally to down Grizzlies
-
US senators reach deal that could end record shutdown
-
Weakening Typhoon Fung-wong exits Philippines after displacing 1.4 million
-
Lenny Wilkens, Basketball Hall of Famer as player and coach, dies
-
Griffin wins PGA Mexico title for third victory of the year
-
NFL makes successful return to Berlin, 35 years on
-
Lewandowski hat-trick helps Barca punish Real Madrid slip
-
George warns England against being overawed by the All Blacks
-
Lewandowski treble helps Barca beat Celta, cut gap on Real Madrid
-
Neves late show sends PSG top of Ligue 1, Strasbourg down Lille
-
Inter go top of Serie A after Napoli slip-up
-
Bezos's Blue Origin postpones rocket launch over weather
-
Hamilton upbeat despite 'nightmare' at Ferrari
-
Taylor sparks Colts to Berlin win, Pats win streak hits seven
-
Alcaraz and Zverev make winning starts at ATP Finals
-
Protests suspend opening of Nigeria heritage museum
NYSE - LSE
Italian artist Pistoletto's 'Venus of the Rags' destroyed in fire
One of Italian contemporary artist Michelangelo Pistoletto's most famous works, "Venus of the Rags", has been burnt to cinders in a suspected arson attack in Naples, authorities said Wednesday.
The installation, in which a statue of the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility stands next to a vast pile of coloured, discarded clothes, was destroyed where it stood on display near the town hall in the southern Italian city.
Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi said the fire in the early hours of Wednesday was "an act of great violence which leaves us speechless", and promised the installation would be rebuilt.
Pistoletto was "embittered and hurt" by the "vandalism", Manfredi said, but keen that the fire be "interpreted by us as a (chance for a) fresh start".
There are several versions of the "Venus of the Rags", which was first created in 1967 and juxtaposes an iconic figure of classical culture and beauty with the detritus of contemporary society.
Pistoletto, 90, is a central figure in Italy's Arte Povera movement, and his works have been shown across the world, including in London, New York and Paris.
C.AbuSway--SF-PST
