Rome's 'Piazze Romane' project installs controversial public sculptures including a porchetta pig

The Primo Municipio of Rome has launched 'Piazze Romane', an urban regeneration initiative placing student sculptures in recently renovated historic squares. The works have sparked outrage for their perceived low artistic quality and insensitivity. A travertine pig sculpture resembling porchetta in Piazza della Malva angered animal rights activists and residents. Other pieces include works near the statue of Giovanni Gioacchino Belli (already damaged and littered), a tribute to the typical Roman 'nasone' fountain in front of Palazzo Borghese, a cage sculpture on Via della Frezza, and a Fiat 600 with painted windows in Piazza Cardelli. The project is tied to 'Roma sei Mia', a program allowing private entities to fund micro-regenerations. Artribune editor Massimiliano Tonelli criticizes the initiative as superficial and diseducative, arguing public art requires serious curation.