Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the world of culture has been in the sights of Russian power. Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said this again recently: “When we start to do politics in places of creation, to insult the citizens of our country, it is unacceptable“, did he declare.
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Faced with censorship and repression, galleries are closing and many artists have chosen to leave the country. “neutral art“promoted by power is an aberration for the painter photographer Antonina Baever who has been exhibited in the greatest Moscow halls:”The main objective of propaganda is the depoliticization of society and therefore the depoliticization of art. But art cannot be apolitical. Neutral art does not exist, it is an illusion“, assures the artist.
“They can no longer take a step forward or backward”
Most independent theaters have closed. Director Alexandre Koudriashov’s plays are now performed in Kazakhstan. “The Russian theatrical system is essentially based on state theatres: you can only earn money in these theatres.he complains. And today, they are in the hands of the state. They can’t take a step forward or back“. In Moscow state theatres, the names of certain authors have been erased. Their plays are nevertheless still authorized, but since they have spoken out against the war, citing their names is now prohibited by the Ministry of Culture.
All the protesters have left, but the repression has other objectives, says gallery owner and art critic Marat Guelman, who left the country in 2014.It cannot be said that the fringe of artists who remained in Russia are dangerous for the authorities. But through the repression against art, it is very easy and very practical for the authorities to show everyone not to protest. That protesting is punishable, I don’t know, by dismissal, imprisonment, deportation from Russia, etc.“.
While state theaters and major museums remain open in Russia, only classical works can currently be performed or exhibited there.
