There Is No Room for Art Here
Gallery 4. Democracy
Photo credits: Blanton Museum of art
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Antonio Caro
1972-2014
Acrylic on cardboard
In 1972, Caro wrote “There is no room for art here” in crowded, unspaced letters in the corner of a room. This serves as a metaphor for the lack of political spaces for expression and participation. Alongside the tight phrase appear the names of students, trade unionists, and indigenous people murdered due to political persecution in the country. Since then, the artist has questioned whether, amidst war, it is possible to realise the dream of democracy. Article 270 of the Constitution establishes participatory democracy and various mechanisms to exercise it, but, as Caro’s work suggests for art, one might ask: Is there room here for democracy?
