Pino Boresta blames Duchamp for the emptiness of contemporary art
In a critical essay on Artribune, artist Pino Boresta argues that the trend toward immaterial and conceptual art, initiated by Marcel Duchamp, has led to a market-driven system where artworks are valued for their shock value and financial speculation rather than intrinsic meaning. He traces this lineage through artists such as Gino De Dominicis (Cubo invisibile), Yves Klein (selling empty spaces), Piero Manzoni (Divorare l'arte), Vito Acconci (Seedbed), Emilio Prini, Tino Sehgal (Biennale di Venezia 2005), and contemporary NFTs. Boresta critiques the role of powerful sponsors, algorithms, and auction houses in determining artistic success, warning of a speculative bubble akin to the Dutch tulip mania. He quotes Ai Weiwei and Lin Wang, and references Philippe Daverio, Guy Debord, and physicist Daniel Harlow. The essay questions who decides what art is valuable and calls for a return to cultural transformation over commercial gain.
Key facts
- Pino Boresta wrote the essay for Artribune.
- The essay criticizes the trend toward immaterial and conceptual art.
- Marcel Duchamp is blamed for initiating this trend.
- Artists mentioned include Gino De Dominicis, Yves Klein, Piero Manzoni, Vito Acconci, Emilio Prini, Tino Sehgal.
- Tino Sehgal's performance at the 2005 Venice Biennale is cited.
- NFTs are discussed as a recent example.
- Ai Weiwei and Lin Wang are quoted.
- Philippe Daverio is cited for coining the term 'vetrinisti'.
- Guy Debord's 'Society of the Spectacle' is referenced.
- Daniel Harlow is quoted on the concept of emptiness.
- Boresta warns of a speculative bubble similar to the Dutch tulip mania.
- The essay questions who determines the value of art.
- Federica Schneck is mentioned as a young independent curator.
- The essay was published on Artribune in January 2025.
Entities
Artists
- Pino Boresta
- Marcel Duchamp
- Gino De Dominicis
- Yves Klein
- Piero Manzoni
- Vito Acconci
- Emilio Prini
- Tino Sehgal
- Ai Weiwei
- Lin Wang
- Philippe Daverio
- Guy Debord
- Daniel Harlow
- Federica Schneck
- Pino Daniele
Institutions
- Artribune
- Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Anversa (Antwerp)
- Belgium
- Venezia (Venice)
- Italy
- Roma (Rome)
- Segni (Rome)
- Olanda (Netherlands)