The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá (MAMBO) has fired its artistic director, Italian curator Eugenio Viola, who held the position since 2019. Viola stated his dismissal followed his decision to raise concerns with the board about deteriorating working conditions, while the museum called the move part of a "comprehensive review." Separately, German sculptor Henrike Naumann, who was set to represent Germany at the upcoming Venice Biennale, has died at age 41 after a short, serious illness.
Viola's firing highlights ongoing tensions between institutional leadership and governance, raising questions about working conditions and ethical standards in museums. Naumann's death represents a significant loss for contemporary German art on the eve of her major international platform at the Venice Biennale, cutting short the presentation of her acclaimed work exploring East Germany's history through furniture and design installations.