Christian Caliandro on Migration, Art, and Identity in Europe
In a personal essay published on Artribune, art historian Christian Caliandro reflects on migration and the construction of new walls in Europe, drawing on U2's song "Where the Streets Have No Name" and the arrival of the Albanian ship Vlora in Bari in 1991. He contrasts the artistic approaches of Alessandro Bulgini and Gian Maria Tosatti during their residencies in the Calais Jungle (July 8–18, 2016). Bulgini's "Opera Viva Migrants. Jungle Calais" is described as an ephemeral, relational practice that dissolves into the moment, while Tosatti's work is framed as an archaeology of Italy's recent past and future. Caliandro critiques contemporary media's emergency-driven narrative on migration and advocates for art's role in fostering hybrid, complex identities. The essay also promotes Artribune's newsletters: Incanti (art market), Render (urban regeneration), and PAX (cultural tourism).
Key facts
- Christian Caliandro is an art historian and professor at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
- The essay references U2's 1987 song 'Where the Streets Have No Name'.
- Alessandro Bulgini and Gian Maria Tosatti worked in Calais from July 8 to 18, 2016.
- Bulgini's work is titled 'Opera Viva Migrants. Jungle Calais'.
- The Albanian ship Vlora arrived in Bari in August 1991.
- Caliandro mentions Zygmunt Bauman's concept of 'retrotopia'.
- Caliandro is a member of the scientific committee of Symbola Foundation.
- Artribune offers newsletters: Incanti, Render, and PAX.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Caliandro
- Alessandro Bulgini
- Gian Maria Tosatti
- Zygmunt Bauman
- Gigi Riva
- U2
Institutions
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
Locations
- Bari
- Italy
- Senigallia
- Calais
- France
- Europe
- Albania