Christian Caliandro on Likeability and the Brokenness of Art

In the fifth chapter of 'L’arte rotta' (Broken Art), Christian Caliandro explores how the modern fixation on likeability, fueled by social media and a positivity-driven culture, has diminished the negativity and authenticity intrinsic to art. He references Bret Easton Ellis's 'White' (Einaudi, 2019), positing that genuine art is fundamentally 'unlikeable'—characterized by flaws, inconsistencies, and accidents that defy conventions. This stands in stark contrast to today's cultural preference for predictable surprises and happy endings, which are simply comforting illusions. The essay also cites Robert Morris's 2011 statement 'Unavailable,' where he claims his right to remain silent and distant. Caliandro ultimately asserts that art's 'breakage' stems from its perilous dependence on fiction, forsaking its unlikeable essence—its truth comprised of contradictions, flaws, and stumbles.