León Ferrari exhibition cancelled in Chile amid culture budget cuts

In Santiago, Chile, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (MNBA) has called off a significant retrospective of Argentine artist León Ferrari after almost three years of planning. This exhibition, which was set to debut in June 2026, was based on the 2023 'Recurrencias' display from the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires. Approximately 160 artworks were intended for transport to Chile, featuring Ferrari's renowned pieces 'Western and Christian Civilization' (1965) and 'Nosotros no sabíamos'. The cancellation stems from funding shortages following cuts made by Chile's new president, José Antonio Kast, who assumed office in March. MNBA director Varinia Brodsky Zimmermann confirmed the decision, while curators Cecilia Rabossi and Andrés Duprat, along with the Augusto and León Ferrari Foundation, were involved. Cultural minister Francisco Undurraga indicated that layoffs were not included in the budget reductions, but funding could not be guaranteed. Andrés Duprat expressed his disappointment, highlighting that logistical arrangements were already established. Ferrari (1920-2013), a Golden Lion recipient at the 2007 Venice Biennale, is celebrated for his critiques of authoritarianism, state violence, and organized religion. This cancellation reflects wider budgetary constraints impacting cultural organizations.