Andrei Molodkin's 'Victory of Democracy' at Castello di Barletta

In Barletta, the Puglia-Circuito del Contemporaneo project presents two axes: the exhibition 'Victory of Democracy' by Russian artist Andrei Molodkin (born 1966 in Boui) and the opening of the Lapidarium featuring sculptures from the local civic museum. The Lapidarium includes a 13th-century bust attributed to Frederick II of Swabia. Molodkin's work uses blood and oil—symbols of global capitalism's ruthless logic—flowing through large letters spelling 'Democracy' in a projection on the castle's rough underground walls, paired with 'Government,' a monumental steel letter sequence on the parade ground that appears precariously balanced. The artist collects blood from adherents of different religions, mixing it in a horrific conceptual syncretism; the blood powers hydraulic pumps that fill Nike replicas (emblems of victory) or merges with oil in machines to create a hybrid substance. These are projected onto stone to indict capitalist greed. Curated by Giusy Caroppo in collaboration with the Polo Museale della Puglia, the installations adapt to the castle's spaces, fostering connections between historical domination and present-day economic violence.