Fontana dell'Uomo della pioggia (Rainman fountain)
“Pioggia” (Pluie) by Jean-Michel Folon, 2002
Largo Jean-Michel Folon
Florence, December 2021
“Jean Michel Folon's Uomo della Pioggia, donated to the city of Florence in 2002, is located in front of the ex-Obi Hall on the viali as you enter the city from the Firenze Sud highway exit. It has been the object of four unfortunate road accidents as careless drivers have missed the roundabout and hit the beautiful work of art, causing the need for restoration (in 2015 it was literally broken in two). The latest installation adds security measures including a higher curb, a taller cement pedestal, bright lighting and video cameras; in fact, just days after the new installation, another car didn't make the curve of the roundabout, but managed not to hit the statue. The ‘Rain Man’ is typical of the Belgian artist. Expressionless and yet so expressive, he wears a raincoat and his ‘umbrella’ is a fountain of eternal rain. Personally I think he is an optimist. A number of the artist’s charming works can also be found in the Giardino delle Rose under Piazzale Michelangelo.” (Public art in modern-day Florence, ArtTrav)
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