On the basis of prior research on the cultural action of the Chilean dictatorship (1973 – 1990), specially linked to the visual arts, this article reflects on some critical nodes in pursuit of an interpretive framework for that cultural action: IDENTITY and journalisation, denomination, ideological affiliation, cultural reach of the break, comparison with South American dictatorships, manipulation of the media, and recognition of Artistic and cultural action in relation to repressive identity. The article advances the consideration of temporal, institutional, and content fluctuations in order to overcome dichotomous or absolute explanations that mythologise and obscure understanding of authoritarian cultural action and, therefore, of the dissident. On the basis of previous research into the cultural action of the Chilean dictatorship (1973 – 1990), particularly in relation to the visual arts, we reflect on key critical nodes for an interpretative framework on the subject: identity and journalisation, designation, ideological affiliation, cultural extent of the breakdown caused, comparison with South American dictatorships, media manipulation and recognition of artistic and cultural action in relation to their repressive identity. It is proposed to consider temporal, institutional and substantive fluctuations in order to overcome dicotonic or absolute explanations that misrepresent and obscure the understanding of authoritarian cultural action and thus of the dissident.