Ukrainian Artists at Risk: Izolyatsia Foundation Sounds Alarm on Russian Invasion

Founded in 2010 in Donetsk and later moving to Kyiv post-2014 conflict, the Izolyatsia Foundation has issued a stark warning that residents of Donetsk and Luhansk find themselves in a 'massive concentration camp' due to the presence of Russian troops. Ukrainian artists are calling for Western support. Pavlo Makov, who is representing Ukraine at the Venice Biennale, has redirected funds to procure protective equipment and cut ties with Russia. Poet Serhij Zhadan has voiced his backing for the military, while writer Andrei Kurkov criticized the silence of European artists. The US alerted the UN regarding a Russian list targeting Ukrainians. Meanwhile, Russian artists like Dmitry Vilensky oppose the war but face oppression. Marina Abramović has shown her support for Ukraine, and Sean Penn met with President Zelensky for a documentary. La Scala has urged Valery Gergiev to distance himself from the conflict, and the Accademia Albertina has signed a mobility agreement with the Kyiv Academy.