William Kentridge's Triumphs and Laments vandalized again in Rome

William Kentridge's monumental frieze 'Triumphs and Laments' on Rome's Lungotevere has been vandalized for the second time. The artwork, which stretches from Ponte Sisto to Ponte Mazzini, was first defaced in spring 2017 by writers with tags and graffiti. This new attack is more extensive, damaging not only empty spaces but also sections of the artist's drawings, notably the depiction of Pope Gregory VII and Clement III. Valeria Sassanelli, vice president of the association Tevereterno, which oversees the work, stated the vandalism was anticipated but condemned. Kentridge, in a March 31, 2017 interview with Repubblica, expressed hope for repair and noted that graffiti mostly occupied empty spaces, making removal simple. Now, the Soprintendenza (superintendency) is organizing monitoring and damage assessment for cleaning. The frieze, funded privately and intended to highlight the neglected Tiber riverbank, has a limited lifespan of four to five years, as per the artist's wish, contrasting with the eternal Trajan's Column. Tevereterno aims to reclaim the area for public use. A concert was held at Piazza Tevere one year after the inauguration, featuring 85 artists from the Rome Opera Chorus, two pianos, five percussionists, soprano Roberta Mantegna, and baritone Timofei Baranov.