In Rebibbia for the Jubilee, a new work of art commissioned by Pope Francis

This is a particularly special Christmas. Pope Francis the night of Christmas Eve begins the Jubilee 2025 with the opening of the Holy Door to St. Peter’s and then opens another special door. That of a prison.

Yes, with the highly symbolic gestures that have always characterized him, on 26 December Francis chose that of the Second Holy Door to open for the Jubilee dedicated to the “pilgrims of hope”. Roman prison of Rebibbia. A perfect symbolismIt is necessary, a strong gesture to restore hope to those who live in confinement, to those who are often forgotten, in a very difficult moment for the general conditions of our prisons. A way to open doors to places that are convenient for us to keep locked.

That same day, the Pope is not alone. It is revealed in the prison courtyard, visible to the inmates and all their families, even a little beauty. It is thanks to Marinella Senatorean artist who has always put people and life at the center in his practice (he talked about it here Simone Marchettidirector of Vaniry Fair Italyand we also wrote about it here).

Thanks to the project Contemporary art in prison: the challenge of hopewanted by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonçaprefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, Marinella Senatore has created in collaboration with the prison population of Rebibbia and with the passionate care of Cristiana Perrella, a work with a title that does not need too many explanations: I contain multitudes.

We can see it too, in this shot:

It’s one installation important, approximately 6 meters high and from diameter of 3: is composed of illuminations and elements featuring phrases in different languages ​​and dialects. «In its shape, it presents itself as a vertical structure that evokes the machines used in fireworks from the Roman baroque festivities”, explained Marinella Senatore, «In my practice the works are first and foremost shared and transformative experiences, a reflection of my continuous commitment to active participation and in collective collaboration. The selected sentences, collected together with community members, are powerful expressions of hope and they intertwine in a common narrative through which the work becomes a place of meeting and sharing. The illuminations, inspired by the popular traditions of Southern Italy, become ephemeral architecture that create opportunities for meeting and participation. Light has the ability to transform a place into a special space where special things can happen».

Marinella Senatore, I contain multitudesRebibbia Prison, Rome, 2024, photo by Margherita Villani, courtesy of the artist and Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See

Margherita Villani

And again: «I am convinced that art can be very transformative, that it can activate changes in people much faster than other methods. It’s not the first time I’ve worked in a prison, I’ve done it in several other parts of the world, but A very particular thing happened in Rebibbia. When in the past I invited prisoners to choose a phrase to draw on the lights, they often offered me words from others, quotes, texts of poems. This did not happen in Rome: those who participated wanted to use personal wordshis precise words. This shows that we succeeded to give voice and listen to people who do not have a voice or a hearing in our society. I was deeply impressed by the project in Rebibbia: I will come back for sure. The prisoners, I am not ashamed to confess, were also close to me during a moment of serious personal difficulty (a hospital stay fortunately resolved, ed) making me feel their strong desire to continue the project.”

a portrait of the artist Marinella Senatore

Art (from prison) on display in via Conciliazione

«Prison is a place that has a enormous need for beauty and culture: the inmates and those who work there need it”, he says Cristiana Perrella who oversaw the Senatore a Rebibbia project and who will also be the curator for 2025 of the program of the new exhibition space of the Dicastery, called Conciliation 5from the street number of the street in which it is located. Space is conceived as a shop window open 24 hours a day on via della Conciliazione to passing pilgrims which here exhibit works by contemporary artists created in collaboration with various prisons: we start with the Chinese painter Yan Pei Mingfamous for his intense large-scale portraits. The artist creates some new works dedicated to the Regina Coeli prison of Rome which he visited in recent days: «They were very intense days. Art, in fact, encourages a different way of seeing and understanding things, challenging conventions and generating new questionsnew thoughts and therefore opening up to a possibility of transformation”, comments Perrella.

A portrait of Cristiana Perrella, photo by Daniele Molajoli

DANIELE MOLAJOLI

Pei-Ming’s works will be seen on the occasion of Jubilee of Artists (15-18 February) and other projects, other Doors of Hope will be opened in other prisons, in Italy and in the world, for a Jubilee of real hope for all. Because, as Cardinal de Mendonça said, «The experiences that bring contemporary artistic production to sensitive places of existence, where the naked questions are touched first-hand are very important. Prisons are places like this. Art can be the voice and face of the dramas that usually remain invisible and can make societies more aware of their very high responsibility, which forces us to active citizenship and shared.”