Summer Theory: Christian Caliandro's Meditative Essay on Art and Memory

Christian Caliandro's essay 'Summer Theory e attualità' on Artribune weaves personal memories with philosophical reflections on art, loss, and the contemporary condition. The text opens with a scene at Casale del Colonnello in Carsoli on July 8, 2018, describing a child using swimming goggles. It then shifts to a recollection of a youthful romance in Gioia del Colle twenty years ago, involving a Kusturica film, Fiano wine, and a red car. Caliandro quotes M. Latini on Günther Anders, discussing the impossibility of mourning mass deaths from wars like WWII, Vietnam, and Syria. The essay critiques traditional curatorial practices, advocating for art that embeds itself into reality's fabric, making itself disappear. It references Antonella Lombardi's photograph 'Isola di Taranto Vecchia' (2018) and mentions a train journey to Verona on July 9, 2018, where the yellow underpass was demolished. Caliandro reflects on the accumulation of experiences and a serene sadness, distinguishing civilized humanity from a 'neo-human' dominated by smartphones. He concludes with Moby's lyrics 'Why does my heart feel so bad?' and promotes Artribune's WhatsApp channel and daily newsletter 'Lettera'. The piece is a stream-of-consciousness exploration of art's role in confronting discomfort and loss.