We represented Russia for many years at various international exhibitions, including the Russian Pavilion of the Venice Biennale in 2007. On February 24th we put a black field on our Instagram, signed anti-war petitions, and went silent… This was not a silence of conformism or agreement; this was a silence of shock and impotence…
A month and a half has passed since the start of the invasion. The Putin regime continues to commit war crimes, destroying Ukrainian cities, killing thousands of people, depriving millions of their homes, families, and futures.
After fear for our loved ones, depression, shame of our powerlessness and the feeling of guilt, gradually came understanding of the new reality which we all find ourselves in, and what is possible to do in that reality. There is no more neutrality, you are either against the war, or you support it. We have made our choice.
We cannot represent a country that is undertaking a war of aggression, brainwashing its own population, and repressing and terrorizing its citizens for protesting even with blank placards. We canceled all upcoming exhibitions with Russian state institutions, and we will not resume any projects in Russia until this regime is no longer in power.