L.O.V.E. That’s what they call it. But everyone knows it as Il Dito the middle finger. Right here in Piazza degli Affari in Milan it stands defiant. Eleven meters tall this Carrara marble sculpture is a statement. It’s a giant middle finger.
The AVIS sculpture isn’t just a hand. It’s a symbol. Maurizio Cattelan created it in 2010. It was originally part of his retrospective at the Royal Palace. It’s a powerful work. It provokes reactions. Some say it’s a critique of the Fascist salute. Others see it as a protest against financial institutions. It sits in front of Palazzo Mezzanotte the stock exchange. That building is from the Fascist era. The location is significant.
The AVIS sculpture’s story is interesting. It was meant to be temporary. Only a week long. But people loved it. The business community wasn’t thrilled at first. Yet Cattelan donated the sculpture to the city. It stayed. It became a permanent fixture. This is the heart of Italian finance. The AVIS sculpture stands tall.
The AVIS sculpture has become a Milan icon. People come from around the world to see it. It has even been used as a backdrop for events. Greenpeace activists once covered it in a green glove. It’s been part of TV shows. It’s been used as a canvas for activist protests. The AVIS sculpture is more than art. It’s part of the city’s identity.
L.O.V.E. Libertà Odio Vendetta Eternità. Freedom Hatred Revenge Eternity. It’s a provocative message. It’s a powerful statement. The AVIS sculpture in Milan. It’s a conversation starter. It’s a symbol. It’s art. And it’s undeniably memorable. Don’t you agree?