"ARTISTS AGAINST the KREMLIN" organised by Memorial in Austria
"ARTISTS AGAINST the KREMLIN" is the first-ever almanac of protest and anti-war art created
by artists from Russia and Ukraine. The book serves as a catalogue of the largest protest art exhibition by Russian-speaking
artists — Artists Against the Kremlin — which took place from 3 August to 3 September 2024 at the DeBalie cultural centre
in Amsterdam. This landmark event gained attention from major European media outlets and attracted over 10,000 visitors.
The book includes a catalogue of over 150 works, the story behind
the creation of the exhibition, curatorial essays, and deep-dive interviews that immerse readers in the personal stories of
the artists. The catalogue features images of the exhibited works, interviews with the artists, and stories about the challenges
and creative solutions faced by the organisers in bringing this ambitious project to life.
The book features works
by artists such as Nadya Tolokonnikova (Pussy Riot), Sasha Skochilenko, Pavel Krisevich, Linor Goralik, Slava Ptrk, The Party
of the Dead, Pomidor, Philippenzo, Artem Loskutov, Victor Melamed, Mikhail Rai, Liza Pushkina, Vladlena Sandu, Sergei Karev,
and many others.
At the presentation, the authors will share insights into the creation of the book, the curation
of the artworks, and the story behind the "ARTISTS AGAINST the KREMLIN" exhibition. They will discuss the challenges and significance
of assembling the largest collection of anti-war and dissident art by Russian-speaking artists.
Attendees will
have the chance to purchase the book at a special discounted price during the event. If you’d like to explore the book before
the presentation, a digital version is available for purchase in advance.
Guests
Vladimir
Shalamov, author of the Artists Against the Kremlin book and exhibition curator
Yana Tark, artist whose artworks
are pictured in the book
More info
The book is published in an edition of 1,000 copies,
contains 224 pages, and is presented in a hardcover format. Printed in the EU.
Creators
The Berlin-based gallery All Rights Reversed supports protest art and fosters the development of art free from censorship.
Its collection includes over 250 artworks, and over the past year, the gallery has organised 12 exhibitions across Europe,
including the largest one—Artists Against the Kremlin in Amsterdam.
The Moscow Times is the oldest independent
English-language media outlet covering events in Russia since 1992, remaining free from censorship. In 2022, following the
tightening of media legislation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the editorial team was forced to relocate to Amsterdam.
On 15 April 2022, access to the Russian website of The Moscow Times was blocked in Russia. In 2024, the organisation was officially
labelled as “undesirable” by Russian authorities.
Context
In 2024, independent artists
in Russia standing up against the invasion of Ukraine face ongoing pressure from the authorities: they are summoned for interrogations,
threatened with searches, and many have been forced to emigrate. Those who remain in Russia work in secrecy, constantly risking
arrest. In exile, many cultural figures struggle with financial difficulties, while artists still in Russia are often confined
to creating work in isolation, unable to share it publicly.
Takeaway
By pre-ordering
the book ARTISTS AGAINST the KREMLIN vol.1, you not only receive the most comprehensive collection of anti-war art by Russian-speaking
artists but also contribute to the growth of protest art. Your participation in the campaign helps bring such projects into
the spotlight, expand the fund of protest works, organise exhibitions across different countries, and, most importantly, provide
artists with the opportunity to earn a living through their creativity.
You can buy the book online:1.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/book-artists-against-the-kremlin-vol-1/x/38208037#/2.
https://prometheus.shop/products/book-artists-against-the-kremlin-vol-13.
https://prometheus.shop/products/artists-against-the-kremlin-vol-1-e-book 
