In 1925, Viktor Shklovsky, a Russian writer, literary theorist, and film critic, introduced the notion of “defamiliarization” in his famous essay “Art as Device.” Shklovsky highlighted how art can make the ordinary seem extraordinary, prompting us to appreciate its beauty by avoiding habituation. Chris Campanioni’s book, Death of Art, echoes Shklovsky’s concept by awakening readers from their routine slumber. This memoir by Campanioni, a former model and journalist, blends prose and poetry to delve into society’s fixation on image culture, particularly in the age of social media and pop culture.
Campanioni’s dual perspective, as both a model and thinker, adds depth to his reflections on the fashion industry and its impact on our perception of art. Through Death of Art, Campanioni probes into the repercussions of prioritizing images over substance, echoing Jean Baudrillard’s thought-provoking concepts in Simulacra and Simulation. The book questions the implications of our image-centric world on intimacy, self-worth, and authenticity, offering a compelling exploration of identity in the digital age.
The narrative of Death of Art draws parallels with Gloria Anzaldúa’s work Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza, reflecting on mixed cultural backgrounds and the complexity of identity. Both authors weave personal anecdotes with cultural analysis, challenging conventional boundaries between genres and languages. While Campanioni’s book may not reach the depth of Anzaldúa’s seminal text, it hints at a promising direction for future explorations of cultural critique and personal narrative.
Campanioni’s writing style, characterized by its blend of poetry and prose, invites readers to ponder the nuances of human experience and the multifaceted nature of existence in a world often dominated by oversimplified binaries. Death of Art serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the commodification of identity and the role of art in subverting societal norms, offering a refreshing perspective on the potential for creative expression in a world hungry for authenticity.
