Pussy Riot storms Russia’s pavilion at Venice Biennale

Members of the Russian punk collective Pussy Riot and the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN swarmed the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale on Wednesday, May 6, staging a protest against Russia's return to the international art exhibition for the first time since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.news4jax+2

Pink Balaclavas and Colored Smoke

Wearing black attire and bright pink balaclavas, the activists advanced toward the Russian pavilion in the Giardini exhibition space, releasing clouds of pink, blue, and yellow smoke while chanting slogans including "Russia's art is blood" and "Disobey". Protesters waved Ukrainian flags and held banners, one of which read "Curated by Putin dead bodies".news.artnet+2

Italian law enforcement blocked the activists from entering the pavilion, which remained barricaded for roughly half an hour. Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova told reporters she wanted the Russian exhibition shut down and its pavilion given over to the art of oppressed peoples. "They are drinking vodka and champagne in a pavilion soaked in the blood of Ukrainian children," Tolokonnikova said, calling Russia's return part of its "hybrid warfare strategy".bbc+2

A Controversial Comeback

Russia owns its pavilion in the Giardini, which it has held since 1914. Following the 2022 invasion, the curator and artists selected to represent Russia that year withdrew, and the country did not participate in 2024, instead lending the space to Bolivia. This year, Russia's application to participate with an exhibition titled "The Tree is Rooted in the Sky" was accepted by Biennale Foundation president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco.edition.cnn

Leaked emails published by Italian outlets Open and La Repubblica revealed that Russia's return had been in preparation since last summer, with Biennale officials working alongside Russia's pavilion commissioner on a strategy to allow participation without violating EU sanctions. Italy's culture minister Alessandro Giuli announced he would boycott the Biennale's opening over the dispute.news.artnet

Limited Access as Compromise

The Russian pavilion will be accessible only during the preview days of May 6 through 8, after which it will close to the public on May 9 — the Biennale's official opening day — with only exterior video projections remaining visible for the exhibition's six-month run. The arrangement is widely seen as a compromise shaped by international sanctions and political backlash.artasiapacific+2

The protest at the Russian pavilion was one of several demonstrations during the Biennale's preview week, which also saw more than 200 people gather outside the Israeli pavilion.theartnewspaper