Francesco Rutelli on Art's Crisis: Bourgeoisie and Technology

In an editorial for Artribune Magazine #36, Francesco Rutelli argues that contemporary art faces two major problems: the depression of the middle classes and the disruptive impact of technology. He contends that art is not an aristocratic expression but emerges from society's dynamism; when the middle classes are depressed, art becomes less vibrant. He observes more vibrant artistic phenomena in countries where emerging classes hunger for freedom and transformation. Regarding technology, Rutelli notes that for today's youth, expressiveness is found on Instagram rather than in galleries, and invention lies in seriality reflected in likes rather than in design objects. Visual floods in ordinary existence can overwhelm the artistic experience. The challenge for art now is less about shocking to open minds, but rather lies with the artists themselves. Rutelli also promotes three newsletters: Incanti (art market), Render (urban regeneration), and PAX (cultural tourism).