Threats made against the Art Bienal and a Cuenca artist for an exhibit critical of the armed forces

The Cuenca Art Bienal has filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s office following alleged threats made against one of its exhibits. A group calling itself “God, Homeland, Order and Tradition” demanded that an installation work by Cuenca artist Fernando Falconí be removed immediately and said “further action” would be taken if necessary.

Threats have been made against a multi-media Bienal exhibit at the University of Cuenca Museum. (El Mercurio)

The warnings were delivered by email but Bienal officials say they have also received threats by phone. The warnings claim that the exhibit shows “criminal disrespect” for the Ecuadorian armed forces. “This montage presented at public expense is an offense to the national government and the glorious military forces of our country,” the message continues.

The exhibit, entitled “Son de las Malvinas,” is a multi-media exhibit about the torture and murder of four Guayaquil boys illegally taken into custody by a military patrol a year ago. A trial of members of the patrol is pending following several delays.

Bienal Director Hernán Pacurucu says the group “God, Homeland, Order and Tradition” is not a registered organization and its attack on the exhibit and the artist violates constitutional freedom of speech protections. He adds that one of those making the threats has been identified and his name has been forwarded to prosecutors.

Despite the threats, Pacurucu said the Bienal will “continue to be a space of freedom, diversity and critical thinking, where artistic expressions can exist without censorship or intimidation.”

The Son de las Malvinas exhibit is on display in the University of Cuenca Museum, one of the Bienal’s venues.