Francesco Vezzoli on Pop, Star System, and His Upcoming Pietà in Florence

In a new Artribune podcast, artist Francesco Vezzoli discusses irony, the star system, and his career. Born in 1971 in Brescia, Vezzoli reflects on his recent exhibitions at Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome and Studio Trisorio in Capri. He describes irony as a tool for shifting meaning, often misunderstood. His work spans video and sculpture, blending cinema, television, current events, and classical antiquity while probing communication and power structures. Vezzoli addresses the art world's expansion, noting the proliferation of fairs and galleries. He recalls his career trajectory from Anthony d'Offay to Gagosian and now Almine Rech. Regarding the star system, he calls it a "healthy" parenthesis that contrasts with contemporary art's niche nature. His ambitious projects, like the 2005 video "Trailer for a Remake of Gore Vidal's Caligula" at the Venice Biennale, helped deflate the art system's mythomania. Vezzoli expresses honor at creating a permanent Pietà for Palazzo della Signoria in Florence. He also discusses AI's potential and risks, envisioning a dialectical antidote developed by artists and museums. The interview concludes with Vezzoli revealing his "ultimate idol," a confession he deems easily guessed. The podcast is part of Artribune's series, with Donatella Giordano as interviewer.