Noemi Tarantini challenges beauty as a tool of classism and nationalism in culture

Noemi Tarantini, a 28-year-old content creator boasting nearly 40,000 followers on TikTok and 12,000 on Instagram, challenges the concept of "beauty" in Italian society. In an interview with Artribune, she contends that this notion promotes classism and nationalism, stemming from elite preferences. Her realization was sparked by a remark from professor Pierluigi Sacco during her master's thesis defense. Since 2020, she has observed the pervasive use of "beauty," which she believes lacks meaning. Tarantini connects it to the commercialization of cultural heritage and the neglect of systemic issues, such as the low pay for cultural workers. She criticizes the Artemisia Gentileschi exhibition in Genoa for featuring a "rape room" and champions "relevance" over beauty, suggesting various books and her podcast "Le Comari dell'arte."