Lucas Ospina's 33 Theses Distinguish Curatorial Practice from Public Relations in Art

In his 2015 essay, Lucas Ospina outlines 33 opposing theses regarding the roles of curators and public relations specialists in the art sector. Initially published in Spanish and later translated by David Terrien for ArtReview's Summer 2015 edition, Ospina posits that while all curators function as public relations experts, the reverse is not true. Curators immerse themselves in language, emphasize art over its creators, and welcome risk, in contrast to PR specialists who concentrate on metrics and view art as a product. While curators craft historical narratives through their exhibitions, PR specialists utilize history in a more anecdotal manner. Ospina highlights the curators' instinctive approach and their detachment from market demands, unlike PR specialists who are fixated on public visibility and recognition.