The Roman maison reinstates its values for tradition and innovation through a contemporary art installation in the heart of Rome.
Fendi, the icon of Italian luxury and Roman fashion, has re-established its correlation to the city through the gift of a public artwork by contemporary sculptor, Giuseppe Penone. The ‘Foglie di Pireta’ installation has settled into its permanent home opposite the Palazzo Fendi, in Rome’s Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana.
Also see: Fendi introduces a cheeky and modern Marie Antoinette in Girl's Secret
The initiative follows Fendi’s noteworthy restoration of the iconic Trevi Fountain, among others, that comes in line with the opening of their headquarters’ first floor. A collaborative effort between public and private parties, the project featuring the grand sculpture has received rave responses from Luca Bergamo, deputy mayor of the city of Rome, to Claudio Parisi Presicce, superintendent of Cultural Heritage for Rome.
Flip through the gallery below to discover 5 nuggets of this artistic initiative.
Composed of two bronze trees, respectively 18- and 9-metres tall with interlaced branches, the sculpture is regarded as one of Giuseppe Penone’s most complex artworks.
Interlacing branches ‘lift’ an 11-tonne marble block 5 metres above ground – ‘Foglie di Pireta’ is aimed at establishing a permanent bond between nature and culture.
Aside from evoking Rome’s architectural context, the ‘Foglie di Pireta’ is also intended to celebrate the romantic nostalgia of lost civilisations.
A masterpiece of bronze and marble, the precious artwork illustrates the marvel and illusion of Baroque Rome, whereas the fragments of ruins recall the classic and medieval times.
Did you know: This piece is the first of its kind to be installed permanently in the Roman public, as a platform for dialogue and the contemporary.
Wherever Fendi goes, they sure know how to throw a party, like this double birthday celebration for Lee Jim Leng and Vivienne Cheng.