Italian Art World Unites for 'Yes' Vote in Constitutional Referendum
Ahead of the December 4, 2016 constitutional referendum, a broad coalition of Italian art world figures—including gallerists, critics, curators, collectors, and artists—publicly declared their support for the 'Yes' vote. The group, interviewed by Artribune, cited reasons such as ending perfect bicameralism, reducing bureaucracy, and enabling faster legislative processes. Notable supporters include gallerist Francesco Annarumma (Annarumma Gallery, Naples), critic Achille Bonito Oliva, curator Bartolomeo Pietromarchi (Director of MAXXI Arte, Rome), gallerist Fabio Sargentini, collector Francesco Casoli (President of Elica Group and Fondazione Ermanno Casoli), and artists Marinella Senatore, Giuseppe Stampone, Gian Maria Tosatti, and Valerio Rocco Orlando. Many expressed distrust of the 'No' coalition, which they saw as a mix of populists, conservatives, and anti-establishment forces including the Five Star Movement, Matteo Salvini, and former PD leaders Massimo D'Alema and Pier Luigi Bersani. The 'Yes' camp framed the vote as a choice between reform and stagnation, with some acknowledging the reform's imperfections but arguing it was a necessary step forward. The article highlights a perceived 'silent majority' of cultural professionals backing change, contrasting with a vocal but fragmented opposition.
Key facts
- Referendum held on December 4, 2016 in Italy.
- Artribune interviewed over 20 art world figures supporting 'Yes'.
- Key supporters include Achille Bonito Oliva, Francesco Annarumma, Bartolomeo Pietromarchi, Fabio Sargentini, Francesco Casoli, Marinella Senatore, Giuseppe Stampone, Gian Maria Tosatti, and Valerio Rocco Orlando.
- Main reasons for 'Yes': end of perfect bicameralism, reduction of senators, abolition of provinces and CNEL, streamlining bureaucracy.
- Many 'Yes' voters opposed the 'No' coalition, which includes M5S, Lega Nord, and dissident PD members like D'Alema and Bersani.
- Some supporters admitted the reform is imperfect but necessary for progress.
- The article contrasts the 'Yes' camp as pragmatic and future-oriented versus the 'No' camp as conservative and populist.
- The reform also includes changes to Title V of the Constitution regarding state-regions relations.
Entities
Artists
- Achille Bonito Oliva
- Marinella Senatore
- Giuseppe Stampone
- Gian Maria Tosatti
- Valerio Rocco Orlando
- Claudio Verna
- Renato Barilli
- Luca Beatrice
- Massimo Canevacci
- Danilo Eccher
- Teresa Macrì
- Sergio Risaliti
- Maria Rosa Sossai
- Fabio Cavallucci
- Tiziana D'Acchille
- Matteo Lucchetti
- Gianni Romano
- Antonio Galdo
- Giancarlo Politi
- Bianca Attolico
- Francesco Cascino
- Beatrice Bertini
- Andrea Bruciati
- Elena Del Drago
- Bruno Di Marino
- Simone Frangi
- Giovanni Gaggia
- Massimo Minini
- Gianfranco Notargiacomo
- Marco Neri
- Marcello Smarrelli
- Marco Tagliafierro
- Sergio Tossi
- Raffaella Frascarelli
- Stefano Sciarretta
- Helga Marsala
- Gianni Pettena
- Alfredo Pirri
- Luca Vitone
- Michele Dantini
- Alessandra Mammì
- Marco Scotini
- Tommaso Pincio
- Corrado Gugliotta
- Sveva D'Antonio
- Antonio Manca
Institutions
- Artribune
- Annarumma Gallery
- MAXXI Arte
- Elica Group
- Fondazione Ermanno Casoli
- Centro d'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma
- Accademia Albertina di Torino
- Circolo dei lettori di Torino
- Flash Art
- Postmedia Books
- ALAgroup
- Visible project
- Quadriennale d'arte
- PD (Partito Democratico)
- M5S (Movimento 5 Stelle)
- Lega Nord
- Forza Nuova
- Casapound
- PCI (Partito Comunista Italiano)
- DC (Democrazia Cristiana)
- Laveronica Arte Contemporanea
- NABA
- FM – Centro per l’Arte Contemporanea di Milano
- Università del Piemonte Orientale
Locations
- Italy
- Naples
- Rome
- Prato
- Turin
- Brazil
- United States
- Belgium
- Europe
- Canada
- Greece
- Argentina
- Venezuela
- Modica
- Milan
- Berlin
- Germany