Richard Leydier on Art's Future After COVID-19

Richard Leydier, editor of artpress, reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on contemporary art. He notes that the health crisis has exposed deep societal divisions and questions the future of art in a post-pandemic world. Leydier argues that art will not be a priority in the reconstruction phase and criticizes the notion that art can save the world. He observes that many exhibitions were installed just before lockdown and will remain unseen, while virtual exhibitions proliferate. He warns against virtual shows becoming the norm, emphasizing the importance of experiencing real artworks. Leydier calls for a critical reassessment of what truly interests the public, why many exhibitions are boring despite talented artists, and why critics remain silent. He advocates for expanding critical attention to overlooked forms like naïve art, art brut, and street art. The text concludes with a reference to Roland Emmerich's film 'The Day After Tomorrow' (2004).