Carla Lonzi's Radical Exit from Art Criticism as a Model for Today
In an essay for Artribune, Christian Caliandro revisits Carla Lonzi's exit from art criticism in the 1970s as a lens for understanding today's challenges. Lonzi’s rejection of hierarchical dynamics led her to seek authenticity by distancing herself from family, academia, traditional criticism, and the archetype of the artist. Caliandro emphasizes that her journey reveals insights that transcend merely gender-based oppression. He cites Lonzi's assertion: 'Oppression is not resolved by the rotation of power... the other must free themselves from the superiority that keeps them inauthentic.' He juxtaposes this with Paul B. Preciado's caution in 2020 against reverting to a pre-2019 'normal.' The essay is included in the 'Fuoriuscita' series and highlights the link between Lonzi's earlier criticism and feminist writings.
Key facts
- Carla Lonzi left art criticism and the contemporary art world in the early 1970s.
- Lonzi rejected hierarchical relationships and institutional roles.
- Her path included negations of family, university, criticism, and the artist figure.
- Caliandro argues her work is a model for understanding current oppression beyond gender.
- Lonzi's quote: 'Oppression is not resolved by the rotation of power...'
- Paul B. Preciado's 2020 article in Libération warned against returning to a 'normal life'.
- Caliandro sees continuity between Lonzi's pre-1970 criticism and her feminist texts.
- Ettore Sottsass's 1967 statement on power is cited.
- The essay is part of a series 'Fuoriuscita' on Artribune.
- Lonzi's feminist texts include 'Manifesto di Rivolta Femminile', 'Sputiamo su Hegel', 'La donna clitoridea e la donna vaginale', and 'Taci, anzi parla'.
Entities
Artists
- Carla Lonzi
- Pietro Consagra
- Ettore Sottsass
- Joan Didion
- Paul B. Preciado
- Laura Cionci
- Germano Celant
- Susan Sontag
- Christian Caliandro
- Walter Siti
- Serena Fineschi
Institutions
- Artribune
- Rivolta Femminile
- Libération
- Internazionale
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
- Adelphi
- NAC
- Rizzoli
- Scritti di Rivolta Femminile
Locations
- Reggio Emilia
- Italy
- Milan