“We went back 30 years in science and culture”

To reflect and discuss the social upheaval caused by public policies that eliminate critical thinking, despise science and culture, and that have a “catastrophic” agenda with folklore aimed at indigenous peoples, the forum “Criticism in a Labyrinth: What Do I Do?” said Graciela de la Torre, Chair of the Ines Amor International Chair of Management Cultural in UNAM, in the presentation of the event.

He added that the aim is to assess the challenges that exist at the social, artistic, cultural and environmental levels, as well as in the rule of law, media and feminism.

The meeting is organized by de la Torre, Jacobo Dayan, Director of the Cultural Center of the University of Tlatelolco, and art critic María Minera.

Minera explained that the programme, in which names like Roger Bartra, Marta Llamas, Hector Aguilar Kamen, Lorena Wolfer, Javier Cecilia, Jesus Silva Herzog, Julia Carapias, and Antonio Lazcano stand out, given its scarce, disjointed and ineffective critical response to the Mexican crises. “In Mexico, despite the fact that we have serious crises, feminists and some environmental activists have a remarkable presence on the streets.”

Concern that began with the dismantling of important programs such as what was FONCA or the 75% cut in operating expenses affected multiple cases.

In social networks, there are voices who put the right data on the table and analyze every act of government. But it seems, according to Minera, that the criticism raised in hundreds of newspaper columns will not lead to anything, which is why the forum is called “criticism in its labyrinths.”

For de la Torre: “We have triumphed over censorship and the impoverishment of culture.” “There are small museums with a zero budget, something that practically translates to paralysis,” explained Minera. “With exhibitions that last three years because there is no way to change them. There is a disdain for informal cultural initiatives and we are back 30 years in science and culture.

The question for the participants is: Why does criticism not find real resonance, impact and consequences in everyday life?

The inaugural conference will be held on April 11 at 5:30 pm by sociologist Roger Bartra.