Stage curtains are closing, art exhibitions are being halted and performers are being replaced. Over the past week, major cultural players worldwide — including some within Russia — have reacted to the invasion of Ukraine by canceling shows and applying pressure to the country’s art institutions. So far, more than 500,000 refugees have fled Ukraine as the Kremlin continues its assault on the country’s most populated cities, including the capital, Kyiv.
While much of the focus has turned to sanctions meant to cripple Russia’s economy, the country’s cultural influence is also being curtailed. Russia will no longer be represented at major international events like the Venice Biennale and the televised music competition, Eurovision. Artists and performers, from Iggy Pop to Franz Ferdinand, are also canceling shows in the country, while those who have expressed support for President Vladmir Putin are being shunned. In Germany, the Russian chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic, Valery Gergiev, was fired for his refusal to condemn the war or Putin, with whom he has close ties, according to a statement from Munich’s mayor Dieter Reiter.
“The Russian Federation is a rogue state,” reads the petition. “Russian culture, when used as propaganda, is toxic! Don’t be an accomplice!”
But some are cautioning against culturally isolating all Russians over the war. Raimundas Malašauskas, who was set to curate the Russian pavilion at April’s Venice Biennale, pulled out of the event, but said he doesn’t want the art world to turn its back on Russian artists.
“I explicitly oppose the current assault and subjugation commanded by Russia. I also believe that people from Russia should not be bullied or cast away solely due to their country’s oppressive policies and actions,” he said in a statement on his website. “I want to avoid flat-falling divisions, and instead advocate for multi-leveled forms of solidarity where there are international forums for art and artists from Russia to express the freedom that they can’t express at home.”
Below are some of the ways that artists, cultural organizations and institutions are reacting to the war in Ukraine.
Russia will be absent from the Venice Biennale
The Russian pavilion at Venice Biennale. Credit: Marco Cappelletti
When Malašauskas and Russian artists Alexandra Sukhareva and Kirill Savchenkov resigned from participating in the Venice Biennale, they effectively canceled the Russian Federation’s representation at one of the biggest and most prestigious art gatherings in the world.
The Russian pavilion, designed by architect Alexey Shchusev, has been a permanent fixture in Venice Giardini since 1914, opening its doors every two years to showcase the work of some of the country’s most important contemporary artists.
The Metropolitan Opera won’t work with pro-Putin artists
A view of Lincoln Plaza with the Metropolitan Opera House in the center on April 06, 2021 in New York City. Credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
This means that the Met will likely freeze its relationship with Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater, whose coproduction of Wagner’s “Lohengrin” is currently planned for next year. On Thursday, the opera house announced that famed Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, who was set to play the title role in Puccini’s “Turandot” at the Met later this spring, will not return for this season or the following. She has now pulled out of all scheduled performances, according to a statement from the Zurich Opera House, where she was scheduled to perform this month.
Artists and museums cancel exhibitions in Russia
People are seen by “The End – Venezia” (2009) by artist Ragnar Kjartansson at the GES-2 House of Culture in Bolotnaya Embankment. Credit: Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS/Getty Images
Contemporary Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson, who is known for performance works and video installations that reflect the human condition, has pulled his exhibition at Moscow’s new GES-2 museum. Speaking to CNN via email, he cited the bravery of local Russian artists who have canceled their own shows in response to the war.
“I was following the(ir) example… which is way more dangerous than my cozy stand here in Iceland,” he said.
“Boycott Russian collectors who do not publicly oppose Putin… not Russian artists, (except) those very few that support Putin,” he said. “Support Ukrainian artists with residencies in safe countries (and) exhibition platforms, and (do) the same for Russian artists from the opposition.”
Eurovision bars Russia from competing
Russia’s Manizha performs during the first semi-final of the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, at the Ahoy convention centre in Rotterdam, on May 18, 2021. Credit: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
“The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute,” read the statement.
Russia had yet to select an act to perform on its behalf at the annual competition, which was watched by 183 million people last year.
UK distances itself from Russian ballet
Dancers Artem Ovcharenko and Anna Tikhomirova during a photo call ahead of performances by the Bolshoi Ballet at the Royal Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall. Credit: Ian West/PA Images/Getty Images
The UK’s Royal Opera House (ROH) has canceled a residency by Moscow’s famed Bolshoi Ballet company. The residency had been scheduled for this summer and was in the “final stages” of planning, according to a statement provided to CNN. A spokesperson for the ROH said: “Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, the season cannot now go ahead.”
“I was absolutely torn between creation, love and desperation,” he told the Times of his decision to leave. Ratmansky’s new ballet was supposed to open March 30, but has been postponed indefinitely.
Performances by several other Russian ballet companies have also been affected, with shows by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia pulled in the English town of Northampton and a performance of Swan Lake by the Royal Moscow Ballet called off in Dublin, Ireland.
The European Film Academy boycotts Russian films
Within the film festival circuit, however, responses have been mixed. The Stockholm International Film Festival has said it will ban films funded by the Russian government. But the Venice Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival — two of the most prestigious cinema gatherings — have stopped short of excluding any Russian films or filmmakers. Instead, both festivals will bar any Russian officials or institutions from attending, as well as anyone with ties to the Kremlin.
“However, we would like to salute the courage of all those in Russia who have taken risks to protest against the assault and invasion of Ukraine. Among them are artists and film professionals who have never ceased to fight against the contemporary regime, who cannot be associated with these unbearable actions, and those who are bombing Ukraine.”
Russian oligarchs step down from top art institutions
On Tuesday, the Royal Academy of Arts announced that Petr Aven, who heads Alfa-Bank in Russia and is sanctioned by the EU, had stepped down as a trustee of the Royal Academy Trust. The arts institution said in a statement to CNN that it had also returned Aven’s donation toward the “Francis Bacon: Man and Beast” exhibition, which is currently on view through mid-April.
Guggenheim trustee Vladimir Potanin has stepped down. Credit: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
T
he Guggenheim in New York has lost a benefactor as well: Trustee Vladimir Potanin has stepped down, according to the museum. The oligarch has been a longtime supporter of the museum and funded its current exhibition about Russian abstract pioneer Wassily Kandinsky, which is running until this fall.
“Vladimir Potanin has advised the Board of Trustees of his decision to step down as Trustee effective immediately. The Guggenheim accepts this decision and thanks Mr. Potanin for his service to the Museum and his support of exhibition, conservation and educational programs,” a spokesperson for the Guggenheim said in an email to CNN. “The Guggenheim strongly condemns the Russian invasion and unprovoked war against the government and people of Ukraine.”
This story will be updated as developments happen.
Top image: The Bolshoi Ballet’s production of Swan Lake at The Royal Opera House on August 2, 2019 in London, England.
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