At a trial in the case of the exhibition "Forbidden Art - 2006" has begun questioning witnesses. According Kasparov.Ru, on Friday in Tagansky district court of Moscow has given witness testimony Sofia Sokolova.
Literally:
Sofia Sokolova
witness for the prosecution
In a country where top officials attend religious services in Orthodox churches, such exhibitions should not be.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
By her own admission, she was not at the exhibition, but says she saw "triable" pictures on the Internet. At the same time during the interrogation of almost any work presented at the exhibition, Sokolov could not remember and described mostly paintings from the exhibition "Caution, Religion", held in 2003. This exhibition then also became an occasion for the trial, which was also attended by Sokolov.
In response to clarifying the issue of protecting the witness said, as if viewed with "Forbidden Art" at Sakharov Center. Meanwhile, the alleged former director of the Sakharov Museum, Yuri Samodurov, work on the site of the museum had never been published for reasons of principle.
Kasparov.Ru also notes that the text of the statement that Sokolov asked the prosecutor, and who, she says, wrote his own, almost word for word the same as the text of the statements of other witnesses. To explain this coincidence Sokolova could not.
The former director of the Sakharov Museum Yuri Samodurov and exhibition curator Viktor Erofeev charged under paragraph b of part 2 of article 282 of the Criminal Code ( "Incitement to hatred and enmity, as well as humiliation of human dignity in an official capacity").
The structure of the exhibition "Forbidden Art" was composed of a number of contemporary Russian artists, who in 2006 proposed by the curators for exhibitions in Moscow exhibition halls and not allowed to show artistic council or directors.
11.09.2009 17:37
Help:
Address of culture to the president in support of the organizers of the exhibition "Forbidden Art - 2006"
Mr. President
We are writing to you as foreign artists and writers to express our deep concern over the criminal prosecution of Andrei Erofeev, art critic and former director of the newest trends of the Tretyakov Gallery, and Yuri Samodurov, former director of the Andrei Sakharov Museum in connection with the organization of exhibition "Forbidden Art 2006".
Читать дальше...
As you probably know, the exposure brought together a number of art works, which were not taken to be shown at other exhibitions in 2006. However, some exhibits, including the work of several well-known Russian artists, namely, Ilya Kabakov, Alexander Kosolapov, Alexander Savko and Mikhail Roginsky, have been exhibited both in Russia and abroad in exhibitions of contemporary art. We understand that the exhibition was intended to cause a public debate on the censorship of such works.
We are concerned and dismayed that the prosecution of these individuals demonstrates the disregard for freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution. The provisions of international law, human rights do not permit, much less do not require a limit or repress freedom of expression on the sole ground that a certain group of people may find offensive, such manifestations. Russia - a secular state whose laws guarantee all its citizens freedom of religious belief or rejection of the practice of religion, where everyone has the right to choose, profess and propagate any religious or atheistic beliefs. International law does not allow restrictions on freedom of expression and opinion, do not coincide with the religious beliefs of the majority or religion, which protects the state.
We find it hard to believe that an art exhibition can incite hatred. Despite the fact that some visitors might deem offensive, some exhibits, this fact does not say that these works arouse hatred or are intended to offend the religious feelings of some of the believers. Contemporary art - an inherent manifestation of modern culture, which serves as a better understanding of the modern world in general.
Art provides a platform for the free expression of different opinions. Art, no doubt, be of a provocative character. Freedom of creativity and freedom of the creator - an integral part of freedom of expression and, moreover, the rate of reliably indicating the degree of freedom of society as a whole.
We are absolutely confident that Andrei Erofeev and Yuri Samodurov should not be subjected to persecution, and urge Russia's authorities to respect their right to freedom of expression.
Best regards,
Galia Ackerman, a journalist, essayist, France;
Igor Golmoshtok, art, United Kingdom;
Boris Groys, professor, art historian, Germany;
Arnon Grunberg, writer, Netherlands;
Roddy Doyle, writer, Ireland;
Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, artist, USA;
Julia Kissin, artist, Ukraine;
Jukka Mullin, writer, translator, President of the Finnish PEN (2006-2009), Finland;
Azar Nafisi, scientist, writer, Iran;
Jussi K. Niemelä, editor, philosopher, Finland;
David shelves, president of the European Humanist Federation, United Kingdom;
Peter Cees, writer, painter, illustrator, Czech Republic;
Tom Stoppard, playwright, United Kingdom;
Ulitskaya, writer, Russia;
Enrique Hunkoza, director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Ireland.
24.07.2009