When Did Art Stop Being Rebellious? A Critique of Conformism

In a significant essay published on Artribune, Edoardo De Cobelli contends that the rebellious essence of contemporary art has diminished, supplanted by self-promotion and careerism. He juxtaposes the current 'obsequious' critics and curators with the militant artists from the 1960s and 1980s. De Cobelli attributes the waning of ideological challenges to the emergence of global digital capitalism, raising questions about the impact of 1970s activism. He points out the absence of dissenting perspectives in art criticism due to conflicts of interest, which promotes conformity. Advocating for the restoration of critical social value, he reflects on the yearning for change during the COVID-19 pandemic, cautioning that any reform might be superficial. He introduces the concept of 'Zeithaltung' and expresses concerns regarding totalitarian tendencies, asserting that without dissent, the aspiration for change loses significance.