Christian Caliandro denounces cultural world's silence on Gaza

Christian Caliandro, art historian and professor at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, published a scathing opinion piece on Artribune on May 19, 2025, criticizing the cultural world's passive response to the ongoing destruction in Gaza. He quotes Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's statement that aid to Gaza is merely to allow continued international protection while Gaza is being dismantled. Caliandro argues that the art system's silence and complicity render contemporary art and its values meaningless. He describes a 'Grande Stanchezza' (Great Fatigue) and collective disillusionment, referencing Andrea Colamedici. He questions whether the cultural sector has become irrelevant or indifferent, failing to translate discourse into action.