Students debate relational art and exclusion in contemporary art system

In a series of lessons published on Artribune, students from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, led by professor Christian Caliandro, discuss relational and community art. Key themes include collaboration, unpredictability, humility, and co-authorship. Wanda emphasizes that relational art is based on equal partnership between artist and public, not generosity. Rossella notes that post-lockdown, the need for real connection intensifies. Letizia and Sara argue that artists must cede control to the public. Maria points out that contemporary art remains an exclusive system, often inaccessible to outsiders. Wanda counters that exclusion stems from inadequate art education in schools and public snobbery, not artists' intentions. The discussion references Claire Bishop, Miwon Kwon, Robert Rauschenberg, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, and Andy Warhol's Factory as historical precedents. The series is part of the 'inpratica' column on Artribune.