Christian Caliandro Rebuts Gian Maria Tosatti on Italian Contemporary Art Identity
Art historian Christian Caliandro has published an extensive open letter on Artribune, where he critiques Gian Maria Tosatti's recent essay regarding the essence of Italian contemporary art. Caliandro posits that Italian identity is shaped by artistic and cultural endeavors rather than being a prerequisite for art itself, tracing a lineage from Giotto to Fontana and beyond. He takes issue with Tosatti's inclination towards "preventive historicization" and his nostalgic view of past artistic communities, asserting that contemporary Italian art is more intricate than Tosatti's generational lens implies. Highlighting artists like Silvia Giambrone, Roxy in the Box, and others, Caliandro emphasizes a new sensibility characterized by precarity and ambiguity. He also discusses Carla Lonzi's "Autoritratto" (1969) and the contrasting receptions of Roberto Rossellini's "Germany Year Zero" and "Fifa e arena" in 1948, arguing that the Italian art scene is dynamic and does not require an identity dictated by critics.
Key facts
- Christian Caliandro responds to Gian Maria Tosatti's essay on Italian contemporary art identity.
- Caliandro argues Italian identity is formed through art, not prior to it.
- He cites a visual tradition from Giotto to Fontana and beyond.
- Caliandro criticizes Tosatti's 'preventive historicization' of emerging art.
- He mentions artists Silvia Giambrone, Roxy in the Box, Marta Roberti, Paola Angelini, Laura Cionci, and Lucia Veronesi.
- Caliandro references Carla Lonzi's 'Autoritratto' (1969) and Lucio Fontana's buchi at the Venice Biennale.
- He notes that Rossellini's 'Germany Year Zero' (1948) was a box office disaster, while 'Fifa e arena' was the year's most viewed film.
- Caliandro describes contemporary Italian art as characterized by precarity, ambiguity, and transience.
- The letter was published on Artribune.
- Caliandro teaches at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze and is a member of Symbola Foundation's scientific committee.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Caliandro
- Gian Maria Tosatti
- Alessandro Bulgini
- Silvia Giambrone
- Roxy in the Box
- Marta Roberti
- Paola Angelini
- Laura Cionci
- Lucia Veronesi
- Carla Lonzi
- Lucio Fontana
- Giotto
- Masaccio
- Piero della Francesca
- Michelangelo
- Rosso Fiorentino
- Pontormo
- Caravaggio
- Francesco Borromini
- Giorgio de Chirico
- Mario Sironi
- Roberto Rossellini
- Alberto Burri
- Pino Pascali
- Federico Fellini
- Michelangelo Antonioni
- Luigi Ghirri
- Giuseppe Capogrossi
- Ettore Scola
- Mario Mattoli
- Totò
- Isa Barzizza
- Germano Celant
- Francesco Arcangeli
- Charles Bukowski
- Jim Lowell
Institutions
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Italy
- Venice
- Florence