Christian Caliandro: l'opera d'arte non deve comunicare un messaggio

In an article featured in Artribune on November 30, 2023, Christian Caliandro (1979), an art historian and professor at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, argues that genuine artwork should not necessarily convey a clear message or focus on a specific theme. He references Irvine Welsh (Morto che cammina, Guanda 2019) to critique the influence of Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon on individuals, who become ensnared in self-reinforcing algorithms. Caliandro contends that art is not separate from reality but an integral part of it, rejecting the 'safe distance' typical of advertising and singular messages. Authentic art, akin to a stone or a black hole, remains silent yet presents a complex and ambiguous model of existence, proving more politically impactful than overtly activist art. He contrasts this perspective with the 'postpostmodern' culture that demands recognizable and categorizable works, suggesting that loud, inferior art may not only reflect but also contribute to the current chaotic and violent times. Caliandro serves on the scientific committee of the Symbola Foundation for Italian Quality.