One giant hand, the sum of the hands of all, to break the steel wall of violence by men against women. It is the concept of the artistic work “Almese against violence” that will be inaugurated on November 19th in Robinson Park, in the municipality of Almese, in the province of Turin Carmen Consoli Sponsor of the event and active part of the work. The silhouette of the artist’s hand is present in the installation along with the silhouette of many other hands united in a single battle.
The 2700 x 1400 centimeter large and approximately 550 kilogram work made of Corten steel is the result of six months of work designed by the artist Rosalba Castelli and the video artist Anna Olmoand made with the skill of the blacksmith Denis Valarin.
The installation rises from the ground like an imposing “Stop the Violence,” an open hand that not only symbolizes resistance, but is also ready to welcome those who feel alone and trapped in the spiral of abuse. In addition, it represents the continuation of a project begun in 2021 with the first installation entitled “Together against violence” in the outdoor square of the Dora Commercial Park in Turin. An “indelible red” thread – this is the name of the project promoted by the Artemixia association – that connects the city and the territory.
“This is the hand that broke through the steel wall of violence,” he tells La Stampa Rosalba Castelli – It is the joining of all hands, an appeal to collective responsibility, with each individual starting from their own role. Only united and united can we tear down the wall that separates us from psychological and physical violence, victim-blaming and gender stereotypes. The culture of violence can collapse thanks to collective commitment at all levels. We are already taking this step, but the journey must continue. Cultural change is a long process; things move at an unimaginably slow pace. The challenge is to truly root out the roots that fuel the persistence of gender-based violence in our culture.”
A plaque at the base of the installation lists the names of those who contributed to the creation of the work through a Crowdfunding campaign. The project is supported by the Municipality of Almese, the Piedmont Region, the Piedmont Regional Council and the Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church under the patronage of the Metropolitan City and the City of Turin.
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