Italian Art Criticism Debate: Is It Dead or Transforming?

A multifaceted debate on the state of art criticism in Italy has resurfaced, driven by a 2023 conference and a controversial article by artist Gian Maria Tosatti. The conference "Armi improprie. Lo stato della critica d'arte in Italia" was held at Università IULM in Milan on April 27-28, 2023, curated by Vincenzo Trione. It gathered critics, scholars, and researchers to discuss the canon of Italian art criticism, covering topics such as criticism in the press, publishing, politics, art-technology relations, and historical figures like Francesco Arcangeli, Roberto Longhi, and Carla Lonzi. Tosatti's article in Il Sole 24 Ore on September 3, 2023, reported that out of about 700 active artists under 70 in Italy, only around 300 received critical coverage, totaling about 530 articles. This sparked responses from Michele Dantini and Christian Caliandro, who debated the role of critics versus curators. Dantini questioned the methodology, citing Carla Lonzi's "argumentative strike" and arguing that silence can be more eloquent. Caliandro blamed the market's dominance, which replaced critics with curators, but noted a rich independent publishing scene. Tosatti distinguished critics (from "crisis") from curators (from "care"), asserting critics provide scientific analysis while curators promote. The debate reflects ongoing tensions about the profession's relevance and transformation.