Christian Caliandro's 'Trappole dell’acting' Explores Neovernacular and Performative Traps in Contemporary Life

Christian Caliandro, an art historian and professor at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, publishes a critical essay on Artribune titled 'Trappole dell’acting. Il mondo oggi' (Acting Traps. The World Today). The text argues that contemporary society is saturated with performative behaviors—'acting traps'—that extend beyond galleries and museums into everyday spaces like train stations, buses, and streets. Caliandro contrasts this with the concept of 'neovernacular,' a spontaneous, unselfconscious mode of being that rejects posing and embraces raw, irresponsible authenticity. He cites Nine Inch Nails' song 'Right Where It Belongs' (2005) and Alessandro Baricco's book 'The Game' (2018) to frame the loss of direct engagement with reality. The essay includes observations from Bologna's train station and a bus ride from Civitanova Marche to Macerata, describing individuals whose exaggerated appearances and behaviors exemplify societal 'monsters.' Caliandro also references artworks by Marta Roberti, such as 'You must change your life (divenire animale) CRYING CRANE 2' (2019) and 'NATURAL ASSEMBLAGE 1' (2018), as visual counterparts to his argument. The piece is part of a series on 'Trappole dell’acting' and promotes Artribune's newsletters: 'Incanti' (art market), 'Render' (urban regeneration), 'PAX' (cultural tourism), and 'Lettera' (daily newsletter).