Valentino duo unveil massive Joana Vasconcelos sculpture, in latest artistic display in Rome

PM23 inaugurated a new project on Monday, supported by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation, debuting with the unveiling of a massive statue by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos in the historic centre of Rome.

 
On a crisp Monday morning, ‘Venus: I’ll Be Your Mirror,’ was uncovered in Piazza Mignanelli, the square in which the historic HQ of the Valentino fashion brand is located. It’s a giant-sized mirrored Venetian-style mask composed of 255 baroque bronze mouldings and 510 overlapping mirrors, inviting viewers to reflect on both individual and shared identity. A beautiful image juxtaposed against the surrounding Renaissance buildings in ochre, yellow, violet, and red, and the famed Spanish Steps nearby.
 
PM23 is a new cultural space born from an urban regeneration project supported by the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, the two founders of Rome’s most legendary couture house.

The PM23 initiative is designed to weave together contemporary art, fashion, and social engagement, with the aim of fostering beauty, meaning, and connection to the city of Rome.

 
Venus: I’ll Be Your Mirror marks the beginning of a citywide artistic journey that, in the coming weeks, will unfold across several other locations in Rome. 
 
“Through this initiative, the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation renews its commitment to promoting an active form of philanthropy – one that builds relationships and generates value through culture,” M23 said in a release.
 
The house of Valentino was founded by Garavani and Giammetti in 1960 in Rome. The duo resigned in 2008, as the brand went through several changes of ownership. Today, the label is controlled by Mayhoola, an investment vehicle of the Qatari royal family. In 2024, Valentino posted annual revenues of €1.35 billion.