Eugenio Viola will leave the Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá after seven years as artistic director.
While the institution paid tribute to the Italian’s ‘avant-garde and professional vision’, Viola told The Art Newspaper he was let go after protesting ‘the progressive deterioration of working conditions – concerns shared by several team members.’
He goes on to allege, ‘Instead of conducting an internal review, the board dismissed these issues and terminated my contract… I leave with my integrity intact, having acted in good faith, supported my team and consistently maintained ethical standards.’
Under Viola’s direction, in which he was also chief curator, MAMBO’s stature grew, with shows that either canonised local names (such as the gallery’s first show in 30 years for Oscar Muñoz) or introduce Bogotanos to international artists (such as a residency and show for Brazilian two-spirit artist UÝRA in March and the frenetic new media work of Taiwanese artist Su Hui-Yu in October).
In the forthcoming March issue of ArtReview, addressing the nature of museums today, Viola writes ‘Working within a country shaped by prolonged armed conflict, deep social inequality, and contested historical narratives makes clear that museums are not merely cultural institutions but essential civic spaces, called to foster reflection, dialogue, and collective reckoning.’
Last year Viola curated the Bienal de Arte Paiz in Guatemala City and Antigua.
