Galleria Nazionale di Roma installs 'PEACE' on its staircase

The Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna (GNAM) in Rome has installed a large-scale 'PEACE' sign on its famous staircase, created using white pallets. The installation, part of an ongoing modular system conceived by the museum and designed by Martí Guixé since May 18, 2020, follows previous iterations including 'OPEN' (2020), the emoji 'UNLOCK 🔓⬆' (2021), 'I SAY I' (2021), and 'Le radici devono avere fiducia nei fiori' (2021). The word 'PEACE' embraces one of the lions by Davide Rivalta positioned in front of the museum. A video released alongside the installation features the voice of GNAM Director Cristiana Collu reading a message: 'Si vis pacem, para pacem' (If you want peace, prepare peace), arguing that peace is not merely the absence of war but a virtue, a state of mind, and a disposition toward benevolence, trust, and justice, quoting Spinoza. She rejects the traditional motto 'Si vis pacem, para bellum' (If you want peace, prepare war), stating that it has legitimized a system of deterrence that only fuels fear and war. The installation responds to the urgent need for peace in current times.