Christian Caliandro's Diary: Culture as Danger and the Punk Avant-Garde
Christian Caliandro, an art historian at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, shares a diary on Artribune that intertwines his personal insights with cultural analysis. He draws parallels between Black youth on a bridge in Taranto and Lucio Fulci's 1979 film Zombi 2, viewing it as a utopian 'serene apocalypse.' He reflects on Puglia's cemeteries, such as Trinitapoli, where tombs are oriented inward, indicating a protective stance towards the deceased. Caliandro contends that culture is inherently antisocial, labeling genuine artists as 'unrecommendable.' He references Siouxsie Sioux regarding the simplicity of imitation and associates punk with realism, commending John Lydon. The diary also shares personal anecdotes, including a sandwich from Luca at Bar Old City and insights from Marcello Nitti's book on Taranto's post-punk era. He concludes by stating that the vibrancy of one’s thirties is both a blessing and a squandering, characterizing 'beyond-failure' as an uncharted territory.
Key facts
- Christian Caliandro is a contemporary art historian and professor at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
- The diary was published on Artribune on April 26-30, 2017.
- Caliandro compares Black youth in Taranto to zombies in Lucio Fulci's Zombi 2.
- He describes cemeteries in Puglia, like Trinitapoli, with all tombs facing inward.
- Caliandro states culture is a dangerous, antisocial activity.
- He quotes Siouxsie Sioux: 'Nel momento in cui qualcosa diventa facile da copiare, perde tutta la sua carica di energia.'
- He defines punk as an attitude connected to realism and historical avant-gardes.
- He praises John Lydon for advancing punk's intellectual and social critique.
- He mentions eating a sandwich from Luca at Bar Old City in Taranto.
- He listens to Metallica's 'Fuel' while driving on SS100 to Taranto.
- He reads Marcello Nitti's book on Taranto's post-punk scene (1981-85).
- He references the church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli and quotes Monsignor Giuseppe Blandamura.
- Caliandro describes the condition 'beyond-failure' as an unexplored zone.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Caliandro
- Lucio Fulci
- Siouxsie Sioux
- John Lydon
- Marcello Nitti
- Giuseppe Blandamura
Institutions
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Artribune
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
- Bar Old City
- Cibo per la Mente
Locations
- Foggia
- Bari
- Taranto
- Puglia
- Trinitapoli
- Brooklyn
- Santa Maria di Costantinopoli
- SS100
- Italy