ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Christian Caliandro's Lyrical Meditation on Memory and Writing

opinion-review · 2026-05-05

In a personal essay published on Artribune, art historian Christian Caliandro reflects on memory, writing, and the passage of time. Written from a bar near the Museo Pascali in Polignano a Mare, Italy, in late July 2017, the text weaves together fragments of thought: a quote from Roger Waters, references to Syd Mead's concept art for 'Blade Runner', and a childhood memory of reading on a beach. Caliandro critiques the tendency of adults to forget their past and dismiss youthful experiences, advocating for a collage-like writing style that mirrors the brain's overlapping thoughts. He mentions reading 'Digiunare, divorare' by Anita Desai and recalls a concert tribute by Eddie Vedder to Chris Cornell. The essay is a stream-of-consciousness meditation on nostalgia, particularly for the 1990s and 2000s pre-social media era, and the importance of preserving one's authentic voice.

Key facts

  • Christian Caliandro is an art historian born in 1979.
  • He teaches art history at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
  • He is a member of the scientific committee of Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane.
  • The essay was published on Artribune in September 2017.
  • It was written in late July 2017 at a bar near the Museo Pascali in Polignano a Mare, Italy.
  • The text includes a quote from Roger Waters: 'Watching endless repeats – Out of sight, out of mind Silence, indifference: The ultimate crime'.
  • It references Syd Mead's concept art for the film 'Blade Runner'.
  • Caliandro mentions reading 'Digiunare, divorare' by Anita Desai.
  • He recalls Eddie Vedder's emotional tribute to Chris Cornell during a concert.
  • The essay criticizes nostalgia for the 1990s and 2000s pre-social media era.

Entities

Artists

  • Christian Caliandro
  • Roger Waters
  • Syd Mead
  • Eddie Vedder
  • Chris Cornell
  • Anita Desai
  • Stephen King
  • Trent Reznor

Institutions

  • Artribune
  • Museo Pascali
  • Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
  • Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
  • Decathlon

Locations

  • Polignano a Mare
  • Italy
  • Torino

Sources