CAYC's 1970s Internationalism and Conceptualism in Buenos Aires Sparked Controversy

During the early 1970s, Buenos Aires' Centro de Arte y Comunicación (CAYC) operated within a challenging socio-political context. Under the leadership of Jorge Glusberg, CAYC aimed to extend the international focus initiated by the Instituto Torcuato Di Tella in the 1960s. The center showcased Conceptual art that addressed the political climates of Argentina and its neighbors, including Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Colombia. To support these objectives, CAYC introduced a concept known as "systems art." This approach sparked considerable debate, leading to accusations of cultural imperialism against Glusberg and CAYC. From the outset, the initiative was marked by conflict and dissent. The controversies, preserved in various archives and publications, now provide valuable insights into Latin American art history. An article analyzing these interactions was published by Catherine Spencer on June 1, 2021, in ARTMargins Online, accessible via MIT Press by subscription only.