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Christian Caliandro's Critical Reflections on Contemporary Italy

opinion-review · 2026-05-04

In this opinion piece published on Artribune, Christian Caliandro offers a scathing critique of contemporary Italian society, contrasting it with the 1990s. He opens with quotes from Pier Paolo Pasolini and Ottiero Ottieri, then reflects on personal memories from the 1980s and 1990s, including TV host Fabrizio Frizzi, the Capaci bombing, and the music scene (Stone Temple Pilots, Afterhours, Marlene Kuntz, CCCP/CSI). Caliandro expresses deep hatred for the present's superficiality, roboticity, hypocrisy, and lack of culture, criticizing its conformism, amnesia, and 'presentism.' He notes that Jack Kerouac's books are out of print in Italy (Mondadori) for over fifteen years, contrasting the freer, wilder 1990s with today. He also references Michelangelo's 'Last Judgment' and Trent Reznor's criticism of contemporary music and social media. The piece ends with a diatribe against those who accept the current state of affairs without demanding more.

Key facts

  • Published on Artribune on April 2018.
  • Author: Christian Caliandro, contemporary art historian and professor at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
  • References Pier Paolo Pasolini and Ottiero Ottieri.
  • Mentions Fabrizio Frizzi, Milly Carlucci, and the Capaci bombing.
  • Criticizes contemporary society for superficiality, roboticity, hypocrisy, and lack of culture.
  • Notes that Jack Kerouac's books are out of print in Italy (Mondadori) for over fifteen years.
  • References 1990s Italian music scene: Afterhours, Marlene Kuntz, Massimo Volume, CCCP/CSI, Timoria, Negrita, La Crus.
  • Mentions Trent Reznor's criticism of contemporary music and social media.
  • References Michelangelo's 'Last Judgment' (1536-41).
  • Caliandro teaches at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze and is a member of Symbola Foundation's scientific committee.

Entities

Artists

  • Christian Caliandro
  • Pier Paolo Pasolini
  • Ottiero Ottieri
  • Fabrizio Frizzi
  • Milly Carlucci
  • Trent Reznor
  • Michelangelo

Institutions

  • Artribune
  • Mondadori
  • Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
  • Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane

Locations

  • Italy
  • Bari
  • Capaci

Sources