Christian Caliandro on Contagion and Responsibility in Art
Christian Caliandro argues that the current pandemic reveals a dangerous dissociation from reality, where likeability and rhetoric mask individualism and egoism. He criticizes the notion that art and culture should continue public gatherings as a form of resistance, calling it perilous. Caliandro contrasts the behavior of the Chinese community in Lombardy, which voluntarily self-quarantined, with the general Italian response. He emphasizes that the true artwork now is caring for others through isolation, and that art's function is to demonstrate the importance of temporarily modifying one's lifestyle to protect others. The article is part of a series on 'L'arte rotta' (Broken Art) published on Artribune.
Key facts
- Christian Caliandro is an art historian and professor at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
- The article is part of the series 'L’arte rotta' on Artribune.
- Caliandro criticizes the idea that gathering for art is an act of resistance during the pandemic.
- He highlights that only one infected person in Lombardy was Chinese due to self-quarantine.
- Francesco Wu is cited as a reference of the local Chinese community.
- The article discusses the concept of 'likeability' as a form of rhetoric and dissociation from reality.
- Caliandro argues that art should promote solidarity, community, and responsibility.
- The piece was published in March 2020 on Artribune.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Caliandro
- Francesco Wu
Institutions
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
Locations
- Lombardy
- Italy
- China
- Firenze