Pussy Riot and Femen Stage Protest at Russian Pavilion Amid Venice Biennale Controversy

On May 6, members of the feminist punk rock group Pussy Riot and the Ukrainian women's movement Femen conducted a protest at the Russian pavilion during the Venice Biennale. The demonstration aimed to highlight the plight of Russian political prisoners with pro-Ukrainian views and condemn Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Protesters ignited pink, yellow, and blue smoke flares while chanting slogans such as "Russian art is blood". They held placards reading "Enjoy the show – ignore the war," "Curated by Putin, corpses included," and "Art on display, graves below." Some activists painted these phrases on their bodies, and Ukrainian flags and masks were hung on statues around the pavilion.

Symbolic Protest Highlights Boardroom and Cultural Implications

"The best citizens of Russia are either imprisoned for anti-regime and pro-Ukrainian actions or killed in custody, while Europe opens doors to Putin’s officials and propagandists," said Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. "Those who should represent Russia are artists jailed for their anti-war and pro-Ukrainian stance."

One of Femen’s leaders, Inna Shevchenko, underscored the grave symbolism behind the Russian pavilion's exhibits: "Every Russian artwork presented this year stands on an invisible pedestal of Ukrainian blood. You won’t find this in the catalog, but it’s the sole material supporting this pavilion."

The Russian pavilion’s participation in the Venice Biennale is notable as it marks Russia’s first presence at the world’s largest international contemporary art exhibition since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. This decision by the Biennale’s organizers has sparked harsh criticism from the European Union and Ukraine, with the European Commission asserting that Russia’s inclusion breaches EU sanction laws.

In response to the backlash, the Russian pavilion was scheduled to open only from May 6 to 8 for invited guests, featuring a continuous sound performance titled "Tree Rooted in the Sky." The pavilion was closed to the general public upon the Biennale's official opening on May 9. Due to controversies involving the Russian and Israeli pavilions, the Biennale jury excluded both countries from award considerations and resigned in protest.

Corporate governance elements also emerge in the backdrop of the pavilion's management. The Russian pavilion is operated by Smart Art, a company founded by Ekaterina Vinokurova and Anastasia Karneeva. Karneeva is the daughter of a retired general who served as deputy director of Rostec, a major Russian state defense conglomerate. Vinokurova is the daughter of Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

This intertwining of state influence, defense sector ties, and cultural representation spotlights the complex intersection of art, politics, and corporate governance amid geopolitical conflict. Executive decisions by festival organizers and pavilion managers have ignited broader debates over the legitimacy of cultural diplomacy and the role of art in contested political narratives.