Francesco Vezzoli on Truth, Cancel Culture, and the Renaissance of the Art System

In a recent conversation, Francesco Vezzoli, the Italian artist born in Brescia in 1971, shared his thoughts on contemporary art and his sources of inspiration. He pointed to the Instagram account 'I Dati Sono Belli' as a significant influence. Vezzoli mentioned three notable works: 'Caligula' (2005), a film project that sparked legal issues with Benicio del Toro's attorney; '24 Hour Museum' (2012), a socially impactful initiative in collaboration with Fondazione Prada in Paris; and a current curatorial endeavor focused on Leonor Fini. He criticized the traditional notion of 'genius loci' and described cancel culture as both 'hilarious' and problematic. Vezzoli characterized the present era as 'tragic' and encouraged emerging artists to remain authentic and learn from established masters, while also pointing out Berlin's lesser economic backing compared to Milan.