Paolo D'Angelo on the Disconnect Between Philosophy and Contemporary Art
In a conversation with Davide Dal Sasso, Italian aesthetician Paolo D'Angelo reflects on the waning interest of philosophers in contemporary art, contrasting it with the active participation of intellectuals like Umberto Eco, Gillo Dorfles, and Ermanno Migliorini during the 1960s and 70s. D'Angelo points out that while Dorfles and Migliorini engaged with art theory, Eco transitioned to conventional academia. He observes that Dino Formaggio and Emilio Garroni largely ignored contemporary art, though he acknowledges Mario Perniola and Renato Barilli as notable exceptions. Emphasizing Luciano Anceschi's journal 'Il Verri,' he argues that the concept of 'poetica' has disappeared from discussions, calling for aesthetic theory to assess the experimentation in contemporary art and critiques the emphasis on masterpieces, particularly in Land Art's procedural approach.
Key facts
- Paolo D'Angelo is an Italian aesthetician interviewed by Davide Dal Sasso.
- D'Angelo contrasts the 1960s–70s engagement of philosophers like Eco, Dorfles, and Migliorini with today's disconnect.
- Gillo Dorfles was both an artist and critic, active at 107 years old.
- Ermanno Migliorini contributed to conceptual art theory.
- Umberto Eco's later work shifted to traditional academia and narrative entertainment.
- Dino Formaggio and Emilio Garroni had personal artistic vocations but did not focus on contemporary art.
- Mario Perniola and Renato Barilli remained in sync with contemporary art movements.
- Luciano Anceschi's journal 'Il Verri' was a key experimental laboratory in the 1960s.
- The concept of 'poetica' has disappeared from contemporary discourse.
- D'Angelo argues aesthetic theory should focus on procedures rather than movements.
- He emphasizes aesthetic experience as crucial for identifying art.
- He critiques the sacral view of masterpieces, favoring imperfect works.
- The ready-made exemplifies 'ars est celare artem' to the point of indistinguishability.
- Land Art is an example of shifting focus from movement to procedure.
- Land Art involves anti-mimetic relationship with nature and perceptual short-circuits.
Entities
Artists
- Paolo D'Angelo
- Davide Dal Sasso
- Umberto Eco
- Gillo Dorfles
- Ermanno Migliorini
- Dino Formaggio
- Emilio Garroni
- Mario Perniola
- Renato Barilli
- Luciano Anceschi
- Luciano Berio
- Richard Long
- Giuliano Mauri
- Wolfgang Laib
- Bence Nanay
- Ellen Dissanayake
Institutions
- Scuola IMT Alti Studi Lucca
- Laterza
- Quodlibet
- Il Verri
- Gruppo 63
- Artribune
Locations
- Italy
- Lucca