Art World's Social Media Missteps During Italy's COVID-19 Lockdown
Massimiliano Tonelli from Artribune has expressed his disapproval of how certain Italian art personalities utilized social media in the initial 100 days of the coronavirus crisis. He criticized collector Fabrizio Lucherini for trivializing the pandemic with his motivational posts, and called out Vittorio Sgarbi for endorsing a hot tea remedy before later retracting his statement. Artists Lara Favaretto and Paola Pivi faced backlash for sharing unsettling memes. Additionally, curator Gigiotto Del Vecchio and artist Maria Adele Del Vecchio propagated conspiracy theories against scientists Roberto Burioni and Ilaria Capua, while artist Sara Rossi disseminated anti-vaccine messages. Elisabetta Giovagnoni shared a meme featuring Giulio Tarro, and Professor Simonetta Lux campaigned against 5G, associating Vittorio Colao with conspiracy theories. Tonelli warns that such actions undermine the credibility of the art community.
Key facts
- Article published on Artribune by Massimiliano Tonelli.
- Covers first 100 days of coronavirus emergency in Europe.
- Fabrizio Lucherini posted motivational videos downplaying the virus.
- Vittorio Sgarbi promoted a hot tea cure, later apologized.
- Lara Favaretto shared disturbing memes.
- Paola Pivi trivialized lockdown with comments like 'siamo l’unico Paese agli arresti domiciliari'.
- Gigiotto Del Vecchio and Maria Adele Del Vecchio spread conspiracy theories.
- Roberto Burioni and Ilaria Capua were targeted by conspiracy theorists.
- Luc Montagnier and Giulio Tarro were promoted as alternative experts.
- Sara Rossi shared anti-vaccine and 5G conspiracy content.
- Elisabetta Giovagnoni shared a meme of Giulio Tarro.
- Simonetta Lux campaigned against 5G, linking Vittorio Colao to micro-robot conspiracy.
- Pietro Gaglianò described lockdown as 'state of siege'.
- Stefania Galegati claimed COVID-19 infection risk equals meteorite strike.
- Alessandra Populin criticized Italy's restrictions, preferred Belgium's approach.
- Belgium had 747 deaths per million, Italy 505, Netherlands 300.
- Fulvio Chimento declared he would refuse a vaccine.
- Article updated if new content emerges.
Entities
Artists
- Lara Favaretto
- Paola Pivi
- Maria Adele Del Vecchio
- Sara Rossi
- Stefania Galegati
- Alessandra Populin
- Massimiliano Tonelli
Institutions
- Artribune
- Museo Mart
- Art Workers Italia
- Forum dell’arte contemporanea
- Sapienza Università di Roma
- Zètema
- Vodafone
- Ministero della Salute
Locations
- Italy
- Europe
- Genoa
- Bergamo
- Rome
- Belgium
- Netherlands