Vatican launches contemporary art project in Italian prisons for Jubilee 2025
The Holy See's Dicastery for Culture and Education, under the leadership of Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, has initiated a project aimed at integrating contemporary art into Italian correctional facilities, beginning with Rebibbia prison in Rome. This endeavor coincides with the upcoming Holy Year (Jubilee 2025) and the selection of Rebibbia for the second Holy Door by Pope Francis. The initial phase showcases Marinella Senatore's interactive piece "Io contengo moltitudini," a towering 6-meter installation created with the involvement of around 60 inmates, set to be displayed from December 21, 2024, until mid-February 2025. Curated by Cristiana Perrella, this project will also feature artworks by international artists in partnership with inmates throughout Italy, under the "Porte della Speranza" initiative, with a new art space, Conciliazione 5, launching in February 2025.
Key facts
- Project launched by Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See
- Starts at Rebibbia prison in Rome
- Marinella Senatore's 'Io contengo moltitudini' installed December 21, 2024 to mid-February 2025
- Work is 6 meters tall, 3 meters in diameter, made of lights and phrases from inmates
- About 60 inmates participated in workshops
- Conciliazione 5 art space opens February 2025 on Via della Conciliazione, Rome
- Yan Pei-Ming first artist at Conciliazione 5, focusing on Regina Coeli prison
- Porte della Speranza project involves international artists and prisons worldwide
- Giovanni Russo highlighted rehabilitation and countering deculturation
- Pope Francis placed second Holy Door at Rebibbia, opened December 26
Entities
Artists
- Marinella Senatore
- Yan Pei-Ming
- Cristiana Perrella
- Davide Rampello
- Pope Francis
- Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça
- Giovanni Russo
- Livia Montagnoli
Institutions
- Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See
- Holy See
- Santa Sede
- Vatican
- Rebibbia prison
- Casa circondariale di Roma Rebibbia
- Regina Coeli prison
- Conciliazione 5
- Department of Penitentiary Administration
- Amministrazione Penitenziaria
- Biennale d'Arte di Venezia
- Padiglione della Santa Sede
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Rebibbia
- Via della Conciliazione
- Piazza San Pietro
- Vatican City
- Venice
- Giudecca
- Sistine Chapel
- Cappella Sistina