Italy neglects living artists while Germany supports them during pandemic

Roberto Farneti criticizes Italy's focus on cultural heritage over living contemporary artists. He contrasts Germany's concrete support for artists during COVID-19, including a dedicated government portal with measures like rent moratoriums and simplified basic assistance, with Italy's lack of action. Farneti notes that the German government's website has a window for artists, while Italian media and institutions ignore living artists. He highlights that German and Spanish culture ministers issued a joint statement on solidarity through culture, but Italy's follow-up is absent. Farneti lists recent solo shows of foreign artists born after 1979 at Italian museums, with Renato Leotta's show at Castello di Rivoli being a rare exception. He argues that Italian museums prioritize foreign artists backed by powerful galleries, while Italian artists lack support. Initiatives like Connection Gallery, Italian Council, and Premio New York are deemed insufficient. In the US, foundations like Getty Trust and Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, along with artist relief funds, mobilize resources. Farneti calls for remembering the living, citing the Latin adage 'vivorum oportet meminisse'.