I agree with your editorial (20 March): the forced unmasking of artists, carried out through investigations into payments (as happened with Elena Ferrante a decade ago) or quasi-police investigations that put individuals at risk (as is now the case with Banksy), should end. We have no right to violate anyone’s privacy, even if they are famous artists. However, we shouldn’t forget that famous writers or artists are, in any case, public figures. And therefore it’s the right of readers and journalists to speculate, create stories and even play games about their identities. And perhaps playfully challenge them to say something about themselves, to reveal themselves beyond the written page or the painting.
As long as it doesn’t affect their private lives, as long as they are allowed the right to hide and deny. My hoax about Ferrante was only meant as a provocation. For almost five years, nothing by Ferrante has been published. What happened? Has she stopped writing? Well, my hoax was only meant to provoke a response from Ferrante or her publisher. And the response hasn’t arrived yet.
Tommaso Debenedetti
Jerusalem, Israel
