Piazza del Popolo
project curated by Hou Hanru and Monia Trombetta
extended until 6 January 2020
A public art project set in Rome’s Piazza del Popolo to celebrate the universal event of birth, moving a sudden and sincere emotion.
The ambitious project created by Alberto Garutti connects the square’s lampposts with the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS’ maternity ward. Every time the light pulses it means a baby is born: the installation is dedicated to him (or her) and all the newly born that day in the city. Garutti, a significant public art’s representative, develops his research starting from works that leave the museum’s spaces to enter the urban landscape and create total engagement and sharing from the audience.
Pushing a button on every birth’s occasion – by the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS’ ward staff – the lampposts light intensity will increase a bit for approximately thirty seconds before returning to its regular power. At every pedestrian entrance/exit route of the Piazza an iron plate is positioned with the caption’s high-relief:
The streetlights of Piazza del Popolo are connected to the maternity ward of Policlinico Agostino Gemelli.
Every time the light blinks, it means a child is born.
The work is dedicated to that child and all the children born today in this city.

Piazza del Popolo
project curated by Hou Hanru and Monia Trombetta
extended until 6 January 2020
A public art project set in Rome’s Piazza del Popolo to celebrate the universal event of birth, moving a sudden and sincere emotion.
The ambitious project created by Alberto Garutti connects the square’s lampposts with the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS’ maternity ward. Every time the light pulses it means a baby is born: the installation is dedicated to him (or her) and all the newly born that day in the city. Garutti, a significant public art’s representative, develops his research starting from works that leave the museum’s spaces to enter the urban landscape and create total engagement and sharing from the audience.
Pushing a button on every birth’s occasion – by the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS’ ward staff – the lampposts light intensity will increase a bit for approximately thirty seconds before returning to its regular power. At every pedestrian entrance/exit route of the Piazza an iron plate is positioned with the caption’s high-relief:
The streetlights of Piazza del Popolo are connected to the maternity ward of Policlinico Agostino Gemelli.
Every time the light blinks, it means a child is born.
The work is dedicated to that child and all the children born today in this city.