Ever since it was founded, the CAYC (Centro de Arte y Comunicación), helmed by the cultural promoter, artist, and businessman Jorge Glusberg, was intended as an interdisciplinary space where an experimental art movement could flourish. The establishment of collaborative networks connecting local and international artists and critics played an important role in this process. In addition to the exhibitions, a program of different activities exposed attendees to the latest in art and scientific thinking. According to Glusberg, the coordination between theoretical thinking and artistic practice was an essential part of social change.
The early 1970s were marked by escalating conflict and the challenge of the revolution. Discussions about the role of art and the artist became increasingly heated at a time when political radicalization was on the rise and violence was becoming widespread.
Agustín Merello became involved in the CAYC in the very early days of the Escuela de Altos Estudios (EAE). He was a member of the Research Committee whose role was to “present ideas about field research and organize the school’s pedagogical activities” (GT-225; doc. no. 1478772). He presented seminars in which he endorsed a “prospective” model, which he described as “a scientific look at the future as a guide to action.”
The seminars offered by the CAYC at that time reflected the center’s desire to find ways to address current events. Unlike the early activities of the EAE—which took place during the spirit of openness that blossomed during the so-called “cultural spring” created by the brief democratic presidency of Héctor J. Cámpora—this newsletter conveyed a mood of uncertainty brought on by the recent death of Juan Domingo Perón (July 1, 1974), who died in office during his third presidential term. Using a prospective approach as an analytical tool (twenty days after Perón’s death), Merello presented a seminar consisting of six sessions that would ponder the consequences of this turn of events for the immediate future of Argentina.
