Moscow Museum Opens SuperPutin Exhibition Ahead of Presidential Election

The Ultra Modern Art Museum (UMAM) in Moscow has opened 'SuperPutin,' a group exhibition of 30 paintings and sculptures depicting Vladimir Putin as a Roman emperor, a superhero, a Santa Claus figure, an Olympic athlete, and an animal lover. The show opened coinciding with Putin's announcement of his candidacy for a fourth consecutive presidential term. Organizer Yulia Dyuzheva, a 22-year-old pro-Putin activist, stated the works reflect Putin's actual physical and moral qualities, with irony present but limited. All participating artists are Russian. The exhibition runs until January 15, 2018, and is inspired by Pop art, leveraging media imagery to portray Putin's constructed public image. The show has sparked debate for its uncritical, deferential tone toward the leader, who has held power for over 20 years and enjoys over 80% approval ratings.