Christian Caliandro critiques politicized piazzas and art's nostalgia trap

In an opinion piece on Artribune, art historian Christian Caliandro argues that contemporary Italian piazzas and art alike suffer from a 'cognitive degradation' driven by nostalgia and a lack of genuine conflict. He quotes Federica D’Alessio, who states that piazzas have become mere 'fetishes of visibility' without real political programs, contributing to the depoliticization of Italy over the past 30 years. Caliandro extends this critique to the art world, where postmodern nostalgia allows for a safe play with memory without risking real change. He warns that both political protests and art practices now mimic conflict rather than practicing it, eroding the very foundations of culture and civilization. The piece concludes that this 'game of roles' only delays confronting the unknown, which is unlikely to be positive.