Christian Caliandro's Manifesto Against Complacent Art
Christian Caliandro, an art historian and professor at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, publishes a critical manifesto on Artribune denouncing contemporary artworks that are conformist, hypocritical, nostalgic, or disconnected from reality. He calls for art that is brutal, courageous, and oriented toward the future, rejecting works that are merely simulacra, ironic, or classist. The article is a polemical list of what art should not be, advocating for existential engagement and authenticity.
Key facts
- Christian Caliandro is a contemporary art historian and professor at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
- The article was published on Artribune in February 2017.
- Caliandro criticizes artworks made from trash, neon, or that are didactic, obedient, or nostalgic.
- He rejects artworks that are hypocritical, classist, or based on exoticism.
- He condemns artworks that are ironic, fake-cinica, or fake-bored.
- Caliandro calls for art that is brutal, courageous, and 'cruel' in the sense of Antonin Artaud.
- He demands art that opens to the world and serves as an existential model.
- The manifesto is a series of 'via le opere' (away with works) statements.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Caliandro
Institutions
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Artribune
Locations
- Firenze
- Italy