Published in the late 1990s in a magazine put out by the Universidad Central, these “notes” by Colombian artist Beatriz González Aranda (born 1938) are important on autobiographical, educational, and historical levels. In terms of autobiography, the article not only reveals the questions and decisions that concerned the artist as she worked, but also provides a framework for interpreting the art she produced in the nineties, works that are radically different from earlier production. In terms of education, these notes illustrate how an artist and an educator like González viewed art teaching at Colombian universities in the late 20th century. In terms of history, the text places both González’s work and the challenges faced by artists in general in a context where concepts crucial to art were changing, concepts like truth, originality, commitment, and others.
These notes enrich and complement other articles on González’s work at the end of the 20th century, including the article by Carolina Ponce de León entitled “La historia extensa de Colombia” [The Extended History of Colombia], catalogue to the exhibition Beatriz González, Qué honor estar con usted en este momento histórico. Obras 1965–1997 [Beatriz González: Such an honor to be with you at this historical moment. Works 1965?1997] (New York: El Museo del Barrio, 1998, pp. 13–65), (see doc. no. 1079435); and the retrospective book Beatriz González (Bogotá: Villegas Editores, 2005).