Christian Caliandro critiques the shaman-artist and paternalism in contemporary art

Christian Caliandro, an art historian teaching at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze and member of Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane, published a critical essay on Artribune examining the decorative attitude in contemporary art. He argues that artists who treat historical materials as nostalgic fragments keep the past dead and render the present lifeless, failing to experience both dimensions as contemporary. Caliandro identifies the underlying motivation as a desire for safety, where the artist retreats into the role of Author, arranging fragments according to a pre-established meaning. This programmed approach contrasts with process-based art, which is open to the unexpected and to genuine encounters with others. He extends his critique to the shaman-magician artist, who barricades within a temple and defends it against barbarians ignorant of art's rules. This figure insists on preserving contemplation as the sole mode of reception, keeping the spectator passive. Caliandro warns that if spectators were to become active co-authors, the shaman-artist would feel lost, and their monumental works would reveal themselves as old and useless. He calls for a return to authenticity, criticizing paternalism and patriarchy in public art that appropriates vernacular aesthetics without genuine participation. The essay is part of a series on Carla Lonzi and the concept of "Fuoriuscita" (Exit), referencing Lonzi's idea of "blossoming in reciprocity."