Kazakhstan Art Community Demands Reinstatement of Censored Venice Biennale Work
On May 21, an open letter was published on e-flux, signed by over 100 artists, curators, and arts professionals from Kazakhstan, urging the reinstatement of Äsel Kadyrkhanova's 2013 installation 'Machine' at the Kazakhstan Pavilion for the 61st Venice Biennale. This installation was taken down on May 5, just days prior to the Biennale's opening on May 9. 'Machine' reflects the historical trauma of Stalinist repression in Kazakhstan. The letter also calls for an apology from the Ministry of Culture and Information by May 31, which is the national memorial day for victims of Soviet repression. While the Ministry referred to a contract clause, D'Uva, the museum manager, denied any limitations. Pavilion co-commissioner Danagul Tolepbay noted that the letter represents a singular perspective. There has been no public response from the Ministry.
Key facts
- Over 100 Kazakhstani artists and arts professionals signed an open letter on e-flux on May 21.
- The letter demands reinstatement of Äsel Kadyrkhanova's installation 'Machine' (2013) at the Kazakhstan Pavilion, 61st Venice Biennale.
- The work was dismantled on May 5, before the Biennale's public opening on May 9.
- 'Machine' features archival copies of Soviet-era arrest warrants connected by red threads to a vintage typewriter.
- The work was selected through an open call for curator Syrlybek Bekbota's exhibition 'Qoñyr: The Archive of Silence.'
- The open letter demands an apology from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information by May 31.
- The Ministry initially cited a contract clause prohibiting political works, but venue manager D'Uva denied imposing restrictions.
- Curator Syrlybek Bekbota took personal responsibility for the removal in a Facebook statement.
Entities
Artists
- Äsel Kadyrkhanova
- Syrlybek Bekbota
- Danagul Tolepbay
- Ilaria D'Uva
Institutions
- Kazakhstan Pavilion
- Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan
- Museo Storico Navale di Venezia
- D'Uva
- e-flux
- ARTnews
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Kazakhstan