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 and Russian fasсism, or you support it. We have made our choice.
We cannot represent a country that is undertaking a genocidal 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.
Among other initiatives and NGOs that provide relief, we are supporting our old Ukrainian friend, Vira Nanivska, who in the early 90s organized our first exhibitions in Europe together with Ukrainian artists. Some time ago she built an art residency at her farm in the Carpathians, West Ukraine. Now this residency and a few nearby villages shelter almost a thousand refugees. In the last couple of weeks Vera has also been receiving bodies of those who died on the road, and has been organizing their burials.
Everyone who wants to join us in supporting the shelter for refugees in the Carpathians can donate to a special non-profit local charity fund “People Without Restrictions”, with which Vira Nanivska is working. The details are below.
BENEFICIARY:
“People Without Restrictions” Foundation (PWR)
Address: Leva Halytskoho Street, 98, Office 7, Stary Sambir, 82000, Ukraine
BANK DETAILS
JSC “STATE SAVINGS BANK OF UKRAINE”
SWIFT: COSBUAUKLVI
USD account
IBAN – UA873257960000026006301867065
EURO account
IBAN – UA823257960000026005302867065