Roberto Ago ends critique lessons, laments state of Italian contemporary art

Roberto Ago, a visual critic and analyst, has wrapped up his series of lessons on critique and poetics for Artribune, highlighting the troubling condition of contemporary art and criticism in Italy. In his concluding lesson, he asserts that current Italian artists struggle with identity, while the art system suffers from incompetence, self-referentiality, and insufficient global recognition. Ago criticizes the Italian Council for supporting subpar works and points to the unsuccessful Forum di Prato (2015). He acknowledges Massimo De Carlo and Giò Marconi as exceptional gallerists who are discerning in their selection of Italian art. Additionally, he dismisses various surveys of Italian art from 2000 to 2020 as lacking retrospective significance. Artists Rebecca Moccia, Lia Cecchin, Alek O., and Anne Libby are highlighted as noteworthy. Ago attributes the decline to the academic framework, curatorial language, and a tendency to mimic international styles. He concludes his tenure at Artribune, leaving his lessons as a legacy for future artists.