Overtourism and the Consumption of Visual Art: A Critical Reflection

The article, published on Collater.al, critiques the phenomenon of overtourism and its impact on both cities and the experience of visual art. It draws on the late Philippe Daverio's distinction between 'seeing' and 'looking,' arguing that contemporary society's obsession with productivity and speed undermines the capacity for deep engagement with art and places. The author reflects on a personal trip to Brittany, where a purposeless walk on the beach at Cherueix became a memorable counterpoint to the frantic checklist-driven tourism fueled by social media. The piece also references artworks by Natacha de Mahieu and Nicolò Rinaldi, and includes an interview with street artist Aryz, among other features. The central thesis is that the lack of time and the pressure to be productive have turned travel and art viewing into performances, where the goal is to accumulate and share images rather than to truly experience. The author suggests that what is missing is not time itself, but the willingness to let it be empty, allowing places and artworks to unfold without the constant anticipation of the next thing.