Nostalgia as a cultural strategy: a critical perspective on art and reality
Christian Caliandro argues that nostalgia for the past is an unacceptable cultural strategy, as it obscures the causal links between past decisions and present crises. He contends that the contemporary art world's separation from reality—through spectacle, individualism, and commodification—has left it unprepared for the brutal return of the real, as described by Hal Foster. Caliandro calls for a 'bath of historicity' instead of nostalgic escapism, urging art to re-engage with collective thought and transformation.
Key facts
- Christian Caliandro is the author of the article.
- The article was published on Artribune in July 2025.
- Caliandro critiques nostalgia for the 1990s and 2000s replacing that for the 1980s.
- He argues that present distortions were carefully designed in the past.
- Caliandro references Hal Foster's concept of the 'return of the real'.
- He states that the art world has cultivated its separation from life.
- Caliandro teaches at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
- He is a member of the scientific committee of Symbola Foundation.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Caliandro
- Hal Foster
Institutions
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane