Caliandro criticizes double appointment of Gian Maria Tosatti at Quadriennale and Biennale

Art historian Christian Caliandro published an opinion piece on Artribune criticizing the double appointment of artist Gian Maria Tosatti as artistic director of the Quadriennale di Roma and as representative of Italy at the next Venice Biennale. Caliandro argues that the overlapping roles privilege a single vision of Italian contemporary art, undermining diversity. He references the open letter by Art Workers Italia that raised similar concerns. Caliandro clarifies his critique is not personal but about institutional opportunity, citing historical precedent: Cipriano Efisio Oppo, founder of the Quadriennale, refrained from exhibiting in Italy during his tenure as secretary general from 1931 to 1943. Caliandro stresses that formal correctness does not imply appropriateness, and that the concentration of power in one artist limits the richness of Italy's artistic landscape.