The Institute for Studies on Latin American Art (ISLAA) is pleased to present a selection of works by Lotty Rosenfeld.
Lotty Rosenfeld (1943–2020) stands as a pivotal figure in Latin American conceptual art, whose interventions in public spaces redefined the relationship between art, politics, and society. This presentation at the Institute for Studies on Latin American Art (ISLAA) features Rosenfeld's seminal work Una milla de cruces sobre el pavimento (1979), offering insight into her practice that challenged authoritarian structures and invited collective reflection. In Una milla de cruces sobre el pavimento Rosenfeld transformed traffic lines into crosses, subverting symbols of state control into acts of resistance. This gesture, replicated in various geopolitical contexts—from Santiago's streets to the vicinity of the White House—underscores her commitment to confronting power dynamics through minimal yet potent visual language.
Rosenfeld's involvement with the Colectivo de Acciones de Arte (CADA) further exemplifies her dedication to collaborative and socially engaged art. CADA (Colectivo Acciones de Arte) was a Chilean conceptual art collective founded in 1979 that used public interventions and performance to challenge the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet and explore the role of art in society. Through CADA, she participated in actions that blurred the lines between art and activism, emphasizing the role of the artist as a catalyst for societal change.
The works on view, drawn from ISLAA's collection, not only document Rosenfeld's interventions, but also resonate with contemporary discourses on spatial politics and civic agency. By situating her practice within the urban fabric, Rosenfeld invites viewers to reconsider the everyday as a site of potential transformation. Her visible presence in the photographs underscores the personal stakes of her political critique, asserting the artist’s body as both subject and agent of resistance. ISLAA is honored to host this presentation, reaffirming its mission to support scholarship and public engagement with Latin American art. Rosenfeld's legacy, marked by her incisive critique of institutional power and her innovative use of public space, continues to inspire critical thought and artistic practice.