Roberto Ago calls for a new secession of art criticism in Italy

In a polemical essay on Artribune, critic Roberto Ago argues that independent art criticism in Italy has been effectively neutralized by a class of 'promoters'—curators, gallerists, and institutions—who prioritize market consensus over critical judgment. Ago contends that the suppression of negative reviews and the dominance of promotional discourse have led to a decline in artistic quality, particularly in Italy compared to abroad. He proposes two possible remedies: either a 'secession' of independent critics forming their own sponsored platform to issue dissenting judgments and denounce failures (citing examples such as the 2018 MAMbo exhibition 'That’s IT!' and the 2025 Quadriennale 'Fantastica'), or the integration of critical zones within existing magazines, properly remunerated. Ago warns that without such a counterweight, the historical record itself is being polluted by premature canonization of mediocre artists through museum acquisitions and donations. He calls for a collective ethical and professional revival to restore criticism's role in selecting works for posterity.