Christian Caliandro on matriarchal spaces and the art system

Christian Caliandro's essay 'Spazi matriarcali e altri scivolamenti (IV)' critiques the contemporary art system as deeply masculine, hierarchical, and resistant to innovation. Drawing on Valerie Solanas's SCUM Manifesto and Henry Miller, he contrasts patriarchal structures with matriarchal spaces that dissolve boundaries and hierarchies, allowing identity to merge with context. He argues that the art world—dominated by fairs, biennials, and market mechanisms—is broken, benefiting only the top tier while squeezing medium and smaller galleries. Citing Jerry Saltz's 2018 Vulture article 'Break the Art Fair,' Caliandro notes that these dynamics stifle risk and innovation. He revisits ideas from Carla Lonzi and Solanas, suggesting that feminine thought in art remains underexplored. The essay calls for a porous, non-hierarchical space—physical, mental, economic, and cultural—where art blends with daily life. Caliandro, an art historian and professor at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, also promotes his newsletters: 'Incanti' (art market), 'Render' (urban regeneration), and 'PAX' (cultural tourism).