The Lovers: Carrara Marble Sculpture Installed in Japan

Japanese artist Minako Yoshino has installed 'The Lovers', a 3.40-meter marble sculpture depicting two figures embracing, in the plaza in front of Toyama Station. It is the largest Carrara marble sculpture ever placed in a Japanese public space. The work was carved from a single block at the Cooperativa Gioia workshop in Carrara, Italy, in collaboration with the artist. Yoshino, inspired by Michelangelo, describes the piece as a symbol of love's power to heal and build a better future. Cooperativa Gioia president Anselmo Ricci emphasized the sculpture's role as an ambassador for Carrara's marble industry, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on exports. A similar work by Yoshino, made of resin and marble dust, is installed at Riverside Park in New York, commemorating the 9/11 attacks. The artist plans to bring 'The Lovers' to other cities including Berlin and Hiroshima.