Carla Lonzi's Radical Critique of Contemporary Art

In this installment of a series on Carla Lonzi, the author reflects on the Italian feminist critic's enduring relevance. Lonzi's writing is characterized by a sense of discovery, opening up new possibilities for art while demanding hard work and sacrifice. Her diary 'Taci, anzi parla' (1972-1977) spans a thousand pages, documenting micro-events, dreams, and unsent letters. Lonzi criticized the art world's superficial praise, which she distinguished from genuine recognition. She argued that true creativity arises from unstable, reciprocal relationships that allow authentic exchange, rather than the immobilizing roles of artist and spectator. The article also features statements by contemporary artists Laura Cionci, Serena Fineschi, Emanuela Barilozzi Caruso, and Serena Semeraro, who reflect on themes of fragility, human connection, and the self. Cionci's performance involves handshakes and embraces mediated by paper, creating crumpled traces of physical encounters. Fineschi compares her brutal treatment of material to Saturn devouring his children, a gesture of sublime love and possession. Barilozzi Caruso describes 'Senzazioni' as a collective work capturing human relationships. Semeraro contrasts the 'io' (I) as an island with the 'sé' (self) as a sunlit clearing, advocating for fragility and discontinuity.