Maurizio Cattelan painted dirty and injured steps on the wall of a Venetian women’s prison

Maurizio Cattelan, who is part of an artistic team, painted a pair of bare feet – dirty and injured – on the wall of the Venetian women’s prison on Giudecca Island for the Vatican’s presentation at the Venice Biennale, AP reported, quoted by BTA.

At the 2001 edition of the Venice Biennale, Cattelan presented a figure of Pope John Paul II slumped on his side.

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

The piece was called “Father” and was a thematic continuation of Catalan’s 1999 performance “Mother,” a burial under sand with outstretched hands clasped in prayer.

Vatican Culture Minister Cardinal Jose Tolentino de Mendonza expressed his admiration for the work, which is a reference to the dirty feet of saints painted by Caravaggio.

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

According to José Tolentino de Mendonza, the Vatican does not accept artists or works that are critical of Catholic institutions.

“Pope Francis is calling for dialogue. Dialogue cannot be only with people who are a mirror of ourselves,” the cardinal told the AP.

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

“Cattelan’s work is very interesting from a religious point of view.”

Last year, Pope Francis met with over 200 artists in the Sistine Chapel. On April 28, the Pope will visit the pavilion and meet female prisoners and artists.

Cattelan’s work can be seen by anyone who goes to Giudecca Island. Visitors who wish to explore the pavilion itself will be ushered into the women’s prison and guided by female inmates. Bags and mobile phones must be left outside.

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

The Vatakana pavilion is closed on Wednesdays, and no more than 600 people will be admitted the rest of the week. The biennale runs from April 20 to November 26.

For the press tour of the prison-pavilion, three female inmates are dressed in black and white robes sewn by the prison’s tailors.

An installation by Simone Fatal presents poems written by female prisoners on signs placed on the brick walls. The prison cafeteria is decorated with posters by artist nun Corita Kent. Claire Tabouret painted paintings from photographs owned by female inmates, of their loved ones.

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

Concept art duo Claire Fontaine presents a neon eye in a prison corridor. A neon sign reads Siamo con voi nella notte (“We are with you all in the night”). When we read this, we feel encouraged because we are not alone at night, said prisoner Manuela. Like other convicted women, she does not identify herself by her real name. At night we see the blue light and we know the inscription is there, added Manuela.

The tour of the prison, representing the Vatican pavilion, ends with a 15-minute film by Italian director Marco Perego, in which his wife – actress Zoe Saldana – stars.

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

Saldana stars as a prisoner during the final hours before release. The film features real women prisoners and to protect their right to privacy, the film can only be viewed in the pavilion.

Chiara Parisi, director of the Center Pompidou-Metz, one of the curators of the Vatican pavilion, said that the project carried out for the biennale represents a unique synergy between artists and female prisoners that opens up the boundaries of empathy.

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP/BTA

After the conclusion of the Venice Biennale, the legs painted by Cattelan on the outer wall of the prison will be covered with a layer of paint. A reproduction of the work will be displayed in a church in Rome.

“This pavilion demonstrates the desire for freedom,” Parisi told the AP.

“Conviction is part of these people’s lives, a moment that should not be a source of prejudice in the future.”