LoVe ThE DifFEreNcES

“On the one hand, the difference between ethnicities, religions, and cultures is, today, the cause of terrible conflicts; on the other, there is a dramatic situation produced by the supremacy of powers that produce uniformity and levelling of differences.
Uniformity and difference are the two antagonistic terms that represent the maximum conflictual tension in the current planetary reality. A policy that leads to ‘loving differences’ is vital for the development of new perspectives in the entire social framework.”

Michelangelo Pistoletto,
Manifesto Love Difference, 2002, in “Journal7”, Cittadellarte, Biella 2002.

Installed as a large, luminous sign on the roadside, Love Difference overlooks the Mediterranean Sea for the very first time, a crossroads of cultures and a connector of different lands and communities. This unique spatial and temporal context amplifies the message of peace and communion among people, reminding us that dialogue, tolerance, and acceptance of others are the principles on which to base our community. The work by Michelangelo Pistoletto, significantly presented on the occasion of the G7 for its political and social significance, will remain on display until October 20th, 2024. It marks the beginning of the enhancement through art of the former Imarfa industrial complex, located along the coastal road in the region of Fasano, Brindisi, previously used for the processing of marble and granite.

The redevelopment project for this currently inaccessible structure, a legacy of industrial archaeology but not a valuable one – in fact, an eyesore like many that arose during the Italian economic miracle era will be undertaken by the Fondazione San Domenico Onlus, founded and presided over by Marisa Melpignano for more than twenty years with substantial resources and commitment. Annually, the conferences organized by the Foundation attract scholars and archeologists from around the world. Thanks to its activities, there has been significant progress in the preservation of the rupestrian caves of Puglia, with the discovery and conservative restoration of an artistic heritage of churches and frescoes dating back to the first millennium, which would otherwise have been lost. The Lama d’Antico Rupestrian Park, a charming medieval rural settlement of cave dwellings and rock-excavated churches, open to visitors, stands as an extraordinary result of Marisa Melpignano’s unwavering dedication and financial support. Now, with this significant requalification of the entire industrial complex, which will be converted into a center with 1,250 square meters of exhibition space and a vast outdoor area, Marisa aims to establish a multifunctional space for contemporary art and more, including live events such as concerts and theater performances. Based on the premise that art and culture are a heritage to be protected and an essential resource for the growth of a land, Marisa states, “This restoration work pursues the intentions of Sergio Melpignano, who years ago, with incredible foresight, saw the extraordinary potential of this area.”

One of the masters of contemporary art, Mimmo Paladino, has signed the renovation project. The initiative for this magnificent launch, however, stems from a multi-voiced dialogue involving, besides Michelangelo Pistoletto, Vincenzo de Bellis, and Lorenzo Fiaschi of Galleria Continua. Their joint aim is to convey, through art, a message of balance, harmony, and peace among communities, themes that have been the focus of the most recent summit of the world’s greatest leaders. From these assumptions came the idea of presenting Love Difference, a monumental and colorful light installation composed of 20 neon signs, in which the phrase “love differences” is translated into the most widely spoken languages in the world.

First conceived in 2005 as part of Luci d’Artista in Turin, this work was born within the broader and more articulated project of 2002 Love Difference – Artistic Movement for an InterMediterranean Politics, created by Michelangelo Pistoletto to promote respect and mutual understanding between different cultures through the universality of art. A prominent figure in the contemporary art scene, Pistoletto  pursued research that merges aesthetic practice with ethical commitment. He actively engages the artistic experience with the outside world, aiming to inspire and drive responsible societal transformation. More than twenty years after its founding, this message is more relevant today than ever before.

These same luminous installations were also part of the 2023 Michelangelo Pistoletto’s solo exhibition in Paris, 60 Ans d’Identités et d’Altérités, a project that united works from various phases of one of the most important protagonists of the Arte Povera movement, illustrating the mutable nature and continuous evolution of the artist’s research. In this exhibition, the large installations create a bridge between the space and the general public. Suspended Perimeter – Love Difference is an example of this: a work composed of a series of chairs placed in a circle, aiming to reflect on the concept of humanity, sublimating the differences found in both individuals and social groups.