AICA would like to express solidarity with the artist and register a protest against the censorship and vandalism of the work of Paraguayan artist, Ruth Flores, Tentacles of Power while on public display at Plaza de los Desaparecidos in Asuncion, was torn and stamped upon by Ms Vanessa Vázquez, a state official. This act of destroying the work has been called “political violence” against the artwork by El Nacional, the local newspaper.
The work, according to the artist, aimed to bring into focus, the ongoing political corruption and power abuse since the time of the dictator Alfredo Stroessner, whose family and allies are still in political leadership. The objective of the project was to "make visible the main responsible figures of the Stroessner regime through a mural, a digital platform, and live- printed posters," as explained by the artist to El Nacional. The artist collaborated with communicator and historian Jazmín Duarte and Joaquín Risso to create the mural that was attacked. This case of censorship on November 30, 2024, has led to public outrage particularly because it is seen as an officially supported act of erasure of Paraguay's dark history associated with Stroessner and his painful legacy.
AICA International joins the public and art organizations like AICA Paraguay and Gente de Arte and Artistas Visuales del Paraguay (AVISPA) to condemn this act against artistic freedom.
AICA is a representative body of art critics based in Paris since the 1940s. It is active across the world with around 5 500 members in 95 countries. One of its objectives is to protect the ethical and professional rights of its members and defend impartiality and freedom of artistic expression worldwide. The Censorship and Freedom of Expression Committee of AICA actively monitors cases of censorship and violation of freedom of expression, and artistic rights. It extends support to its members, through advocacy and visibility of their cases.
The fact that the artist's request to display Tentacles of Power at public art museums was declined and the attack on it at Plaza de los Desaparecidos by a government official, who enjoys impunity, is an indicator of the environment that is a threat to freedom of expression. This is a violation of the National Culture Law, No. 3051/08, and the Protection of Heritage Law, No. 5621/17 enshrined in the Paraguay's National Constitution.
The intimidation of artists and art professionals, and policies of censorship at cultural institutions is unacceptable to all organisations that support the UNESCO Charter of Freedom of Expression.
We urge your office to request the Government of Paraguay to grant artistic freedom and protection to artists and art in accordance with its constitution.
Appropriate action is urged against Ms Vanessa Vázquez, she should extend an apology to the artist and have the art work restored and re-installed at Plaza de los Desaparecidos in Asuncion.
This action will not only restore confidence in the government's support of The National Cultural Law and protection of Cultural Heritage in the Constitution but also make artists and their work respected and safe.
On behalf of AICA
Malgorzata Kazmierczak, President of AICA Internationa
Niilofur Farrukh, Chair of the Censorship Committee