The Future of Art Criticism After Sgarbi and Bonito Oliva

Vito Ancona reflects on the future of art criticism in Italy, using Vittorio Sgarbi and Achille Bonito Oliva as opposing archetypes. Sgarbi represents an objective, Platonic critic detached from artists, valuing discipline and technique, while Bonito Oliva embodies a supportive, playful critic who fosters experimentation and narratives. Ancona argues that neither model alone suffices today: Sgarbi's approach risks being exclusionary and passé, while Bonito Oliva's can lead to excessive permissiveness. The ideal future critic should combine Sgarbi's ability to select and discern with Bonito Oliva's capacity to guide and anticipate trends, maintaining impartiality and scientific tools while being open to innovation. Ancona cites Angela Vettese as a contemporary example of this balance. The article, published on Artribune, calls for a critic who can mediate between past and future, avoiding both rigid judgment and uncritical endorsement.