EN BUSCA DEL MURAL DE CAMILO EGAS EN LA FERIA MUNDIAL DE 1939

ABSTRACT The article discusses the mural that the Ecuadorian artist Camilo Egas prepared for the flag of Ecuador in the New York World's Fair of 1939- The author reviews the details related to the making of the work ordered by the Ecuadorian government and the reactions it provoked among those attending the exhibition, Ecuadorian diplomats and other government officials. Esa estructura, utilizada ya por Egas en otros murales creados en Nueva York, notablemente aquel destinado a la mansión del Dr. Forbes Hawkes en Long Island, permite no solo que el artista trabaje en un lugar distinto del edificio para el que la obra se está efectuando, sino que facilita su posterior transporte y disposición.33 Este último aspecto era fundamental en el caso del mural para la Feria, destinado a ser enviado al Ecuador luego de la misma.34 Es difícil determinar con exactitud qué tipo de temática esperaba el Gobierno ecuatoriano de Egas a la firma del contrato en 1938. "Please advise name person who will undertake removal of mural soda fountain and other material from Ecuadorean Pavilion [stop] this material must be out of building by December first [stop] without advice from you will have to place material bonded warehouse at your expense". Anónimo, "Art of Egas Sets Motif for Ecuador; Colorful Pavilion Dominated by Work of the Nation's Leading Artist", en The New York Times, 12 de junio de 1939, p. 10. "Please advise name person who will undertake removal of mural soda fountain and other material from Ecuadorean Pavilion [stop] this material must be out of building by December first [stop] without advice from you will have to place material bonded warehouse your expense", Telegrama de Edward F. Roosevelt a Mexterior, Quito, 29 de octubre de 1940, box 308, file 9.