Neovernacolare: Seconda Postilla – Art as Trust, Intensity, and Anti-Virtuosity
Christian Caliandro's essay 'Neovernacolare. Seconda postilla' on Artribune explores neovernacular art as a practice rooted in trust, intensity, and sincerity. Drawing on John Ruskin, Fabrizio Bellomo, Tommaso Fiore, Goffredo Parise, Carmelo Bene, and Miles Davis, Caliandro argues that neovernacular art rejects virtuosity and likeability, embracing failure and 'contro-tecnica'. He cites an anecdote from Herbie Hancock about Miles Davis turning a wrong note into a right one during a 1963 Stuttgart concert, exemplifying the neovernacular ability to adapt and transform. The essay references John Fante's 'The Brotherhood of the Grape' to illustrate the beauty of imperfection. Caliandro positions neovernacular art as a revival of craftsmanship, anonymity, and 'sprezzatura'—a non-cynical snobbery. The text is part of a series on neovernacular art, with previous installments on various themes. Artribune also promotes its newsletters: Incanti (art market), Render (urban regeneration), and PAX (cultural tourism).
Key facts
- Essay titled 'Neovernacolare. Seconda postilla' by Christian Caliandro on Artribune.
- Explores neovernacular art as trust, intensity, and sincerity.
- Quotes John Ruskin: 'No great man ever stops working till he reaches the point of failure.'
- References conversations with Fabrizio Bellomo on sincerity.
- Cites Tommaso Fiore (1925) on Alberobello houses: 'All measure and proportion, ease, tranquility.'
- Cites Goffredo Parise (1980) on hand-made tradition: 'a work of art could be collective and anonymous.'
- Quotes Carmelo Bene on 'contro-tecnica' and being a 'public danger, a criminal.'
- Miles Davis anecdote from Herbie Hancock: during a 1963 Stuttgart concert, Davis turned Hancock's wrong note into a right one.
- Quotes John Fante from 'The Brotherhood of the Grape' describing a primitive, imperfect structure.
- Part of a series: Neovernacolare (I) to (XIII) plus postilla.
- Artribune promotes newsletters: Incanti (art market), Render (urban regeneration), PAX (cultural tourism).
Entities
Artists
- Christian Caliandro
- John Ruskin
- Fabrizio Bellomo
- Tommaso Fiore
- Goffredo Parise
- Carmelo Bene
- Miles Davis
- Herbie Hancock
- John Fante
- Emily Dickinson
- Maurizio Vitta
Institutions
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
- Einaudi
Locations
- Alberobello
- Italy
- Stoccarda
- Germany
- Florence
- Matera