A giant middle finger. That’s the first thing you notice about L’attesa. I mean L.O.V.E. It’s a provocative sculpture isn’t it? Standing proudly in Piazza degli Affari in Milan.
L.O.V.E. It’s not just a finger. It’s a statement. Created by the brilliant and often controversial Maurizio Cattelan. This marble masterpiece is eleven meters tall. That includes the pedestal of course.
The title L.O.V.E. is actually an acronym. It stands for Libertà Odio Vendetta Eternità. That translates to Freedom Hatred Revenge Eternity. Intriguing isn’t it? Cattelan himself never fully explained the meaning. Most believe it’s a bold critique of the fascist salute. It’s also a protest against financial institutions. Especially after the 2007-2008 financial crisis. The sculpture’s location is no accident. Piazza degli Affari houses the Italian stock exchange. The building itself Palazzo Mezzanotte was built during the Fascist era.
L.O.V.E. wasn’t always meant to be a permanent fixture. Originally it was part of a temporary exhibition at the Palazzo Reale. However the then-mayor Letizia Moratti loved it. She helped make it permanent. There was some opposition from the business community. Cattelan generously donated the sculpture. That helped seal the deal. It was inaugurated on September 24 2010.
Since then L’attesa I mean L.O.V.E. has become a Milanese icon. It’s been the backdrop for various events. Greenpeace activists once covered it in a green glove. It was a protest about the fashion industry’s environmental impact. Another time it was used in the Italian presentation of the Netflix series Money Heist. Recently climate activists covered the base with yellow paint. It was to denounce state funding of fossil fuels.
So here we stand. Before this controversial and captivating work of art. A symbol of defiance. A symbol of Milan. A symbol of Cattelan’s unique artistic vision. What do you think L.O.V.E. means? Let’s continue our tour.