Russian Pavilion Curator Anastasia Karneeva Defends Art's Independence via Instagram
On May 4, 2026, Anastasia Karneeva, curator of the Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, released a video on Instagram asserting that art must remain independent. The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the 2026 Biennale Arte. Karneeva thanked the Biennale for supporting the participation of all countries, emphasizing that pavilions serve as spaces for mutual knowledge and understanding. She argued that closed pavilions hinder growth. Karneeva highlighted the hard work of talented artists from around the world and expressed a desire for art to be the sole voice in all pavilions in the coming days. The video, a direct communication bypassing institutional channels, invites visitors to discover the pavilion's project, ending with the symbolic phrase: 'The tree is rooted in the sky.'
Key facts
- Anastasia Karneeva is the curator of the Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
- She released a video on Instagram on May 4, 2026.
- Karneeva stated that art must remain independent.
- She thanked the Biennale for supporting the representation of all countries.
- She argued that pavilions are places for mutual knowledge and understanding.
- She noted that closed pavilions prevent growth.
- She called for art to be the only voice in all pavilions.
- The video ends with the phrase: 'The tree is rooted in the sky.'
Entities
Artists
- Anastasia Karneeva
Institutions
- Russian Pavilion
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Venice
- Italy