Ettore Spalletti's 2014 Retrospective Revives Aesthetic Beauty Debate in Contemporary Art

In 2014, a retrospective exhibition featuring Italian artist Ettore Spalletti, named 'Un Giorno Così Bianco, Così Bianco,' took place at MAXXI in Rome, GAM in Turin, and MADRE Museum in Naples. Born in 1940, Spalletti gained recognition for his 1965 piece 'La Bella Addormentata' and his subsequent abstract works. The showcase examined the balance between aesthetic appeal and socio-political commentary, marking a transition from Clement Greenberg's emphasis on abstract beauty to a critique of society, represented by figures such as Marina Abramović and Andy Warhol. The article argues against the sidelining of beauty in favor of politically driven art, positing that Spalletti’s creations foster a vital connection among the artwork, its audience, and the surrounding environment.