I dont’t believe it!


It is like something that dawns on you slowly, an atypical way of looking at things, a continual withholding of judgement, which seeks proof of even the most seemingly apparent truths. It is a general sense of ironic, but wary, skepticism, an amused distrust in the idea of any kind of “truth” that has infected the work of much of the current generation of Italian artists.

Perhaps it would be useful to ask ourselves what might be the reason for this recurring sentiment that does not seem to exist to the same extent in other countries. It would be only natural to think of the rich genetic and cultural heritage of Italy as having led these artists in this direction Or perhaps we could say that this generation is living through the era of “the death of ideology.” But to be more accurate, we should reflect on the marginal role that the artist plays in society today and in Italy in particular. It seems to me that the frenzied political situation in Italy creates a general sense of distrust towards any authority or institution. This prevents individuals from making decisive choices, from facing things squarely and analyzing them...


The full text is published in "tema celeste" No. 83, January-February 2001.




Luca Cerizza