The Extinction of Art Criticism: A Diagnosis

Lawyer and cultural heritage expert Angelo Argento argues that independent art criticism is dying because it has been replaced by promotional chatter. True criticism must include negative judgments, not just positive advocacy. The current system relies on inclusion/exclusion by promoters (curators, gallerists, collectors) as a proxy for value, but this fails to distinguish genuine artistic worth from market success. Argento identifies three reasons promoters avoid critical judgment: ignorance of value, necessity to work within a flawed system, or a mix of both. This leads to exploitation of mediocre artists and a market built on illusions. The article, published on Artribune, calls for a return to distanced, reasoned critique.