Gaetano Pesce attacks Tomaso Montanari over Florence sculpture controversy

Gaetano Pesce, the Italian artist, designer, and architect, has fired back at art historian Tomaso Montanari after Montanari criticized the placement of Pesce's work "Maestà tradita" in Piazza Santa Maria Novella in Florence. In an interview with Artribune, Pesce called Montanari's comments "stupid" and accused him of having "sick ideas" that infect students with "reactionary microbes." Montanari had questioned the appropriateness of placing contemporary works in historic Florentine squares, specifically referencing Pesce's "gynecological chair" originally intended for Piazza della Signoria but moved to Santa Maria Novella after a leak. Montanari argued that such works do not engage in dialogue with their surroundings, calling the practice an "outlet of vintage." Pesce, recovering from health issues that prevented him from attending the exhibition opening at Museo del Novecento, responded from his New York studio, defending the coexistence of contemporary art in historic settings and warning that such rigid thinking harms Italy's culture and economy.