Tatxo Benet and his controversial exhibition
Tatxo Benet, a well-known art businessman and collector, was found in the center of a media storm after the decision of the Consul of Escaldes-Engordany, Rosa Gili, to remove a poster from an exhibition that addressed censorship. This action was carried out in the context of the games of small states, quoting ‘national security’ motifs as justification.
Benedict’s reaction and his strategy
Without scheduled a date for his exhibition at the Barcelona Forbidden Art Museum, Benet chose to test Andorra, considering this country as a ‘laboratory’ for his artistic ideas. Its rhetoric suggested a fear of retaliation that could arise in the Catalan capital, which led to an intense debate on freedom of expression.
Critics of the consul
Benedict did not spare in Gili criticism, using media outlets in Catalonia to notice that his decision was ‘frivolous’. He argued that removing the poster was a response to nonconformity in the face of Muhammad’s cartoon, noting that the suspension of the exhibition was inevitable.
The reaction of the workers and their claims
On the other hand, Mediapro workers, Benet led by a company, have mobilized to demand labor improvements. They have called a nearby strike to demand better working conditions, adding to an indefinite strike that employees of the Forbidden Art Museum have maintained for three months, denouncing precarious work situations.
A disturbing contrast
While Benet presents himself as a defender of freedom of expression, his actions toward workers have been questioned. Museum employees have reported poor working conditions, including salary below the agreement and the lack of basic resources for their comfort.
An uncertain future for art and freedom of expression
The conflict between Benedict and Gili not only highlights the tensions between freedom of expression and security, but also highlights the fragility of working conditions in the world of art. With the pending society of how this situation will evolve, it remains to see how these tensions will be resolved and what impact they will have on the cultural landscape of the region.