Cuenca Biennial Focuses on Latin American Art and Nomadic Practices

The 12th Bienal de Cuenca opened in Ecuador, running from April 2, 2014, to June 27, 2014, with a focus on Latin American artists and themes of movement. Cocurators Jacopo Crivelli Visconti and Manuela Moscoso, based in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro respectively, emphasized the biennial's title 'r para volver' (Leaving to return), derived from an Ecuadorian expression highlighting physical absence and dialogue. The exhibition featured nomadic artworks, such as Adrian Paci's video 'The Column' and Saskia Calderón's performance, inspired by Édouard Glissant's ideas on knowledge from movement. Artists from Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia were prominently included, with a residency program allowing creators like Jorge Satorre and Sara VanDerBeek to work in Cuenca and other locations. Katya Cazar, executive director of the Fundación Bienal, helped attract an international audience, leading to discoveries of local talents including Adrian Balseca and José Hidalgo Anastacio. The biennial aimed to strengthen Ecuador's art scene by blending regional and international perspectives.