Forbidden Art 2006 brought together a number of censored art works from wellknown contemporary artists in the Russian Federation, and included a piece that depicted Mickey Mouse instead of Jesus Christ (see picture below) in paintings portraying scenes from the Bible.
Both men ordered to pay a fine
On 12 July 2010, Yuri Samodoruv was sentenced to a fine of 200.000 RUB (approximately 4320 GBP, 6,500 USD) and Andrei Yerofeev received a fine of 150.000 (approximately 3240 GBP, 4900 USD).
The prosecution claimed that Yuri Samodurov and Andrei Yerofeev, then head of the department for contemporary art at the State Tretyakov Gallery, had arranged the exhibition in such a way that it incited enmity and hatred and also denigrated the dignity of Christian groups, in particular Orthodox Christians.
Freedom of expression includes art
“This guilty verdict against Yuri Samodurov and Andrei Yerofeev is an attack on the right to freedom of expression, of which freedom of art is an integral part. Today’s decision sends a strong message to the art community in Russia: don’t mix art with religion,” said Dr Agnes Callamard, Executive Director Article 19.
Organisation Article 19 reminds the Russian Government that neither Russian, nor international human rights law, permit freedom of expression to be restricted or prohibited simply on the grounds that some people find the views expressed offensive or disagreeable.
The right to freedom of expression is applicable not only to “information” or “ideas” that are favourably received or regarded as inoffensive but also to those that offend, shock or disturb the state or any sector of the population.
“Blasphemous” art
The exhibition featured several images of Jesus Christ. In one painting of the crucifixion, the head of Jesus Christ was replaced by the Order of Lenin medal.
There was also a spoof ad for Coca Cola with the slogan “This is my blood” that visitors looked at through peep holes.
Mr Yerofeyev, an art expert, and Mr Samodurov said they organised the exhibition to fight censorship of art in the Russian Federation.
Russian prosecutors opened an 
investigation after an ultra-nationalist Orthodox group filed a complaint against the show.
Open letter by artists
The trial began in April 2009 and was fiercely criticised by rights activists and artists.
According to BBC, last week, 13 renowned Russian artists published an open letter to President Dimitry Medvedev, asking him to stop the trial. They said a guilty verdict would be a sentence “for the whole of Russian contemporary art”.
Amnesty International issued a statement last week, saying a guilty verdict against the curators would “further undermine freedom of expression in Russia”.
In letter send to the Russian Orthodox Church last month, Mr Yerofeyev apologised if the show unintentionally offended Christians.
“Provocation”
A representative of the Council of the People, the group that brought the complaint, Oleg Kassin, told the AFP news agency that he had been disgusted by the exhibition which contained “anti-Christian” images.
“If you like expressing yourself freely, do it at home, invite some close friends,” Mr Kassin said.
“But from the moment that such an exhibition takes place in a public space, and especially if it contains insults, it’s no longer art but a provocation,” he added.
Background
Yuri Samodurov, together with curator Ludmila Vasilevskaia, had previously received a conditional sentence after a conviction for inciting hatred following the organization of an exhibition entitled Caution! Religion! in 2003, also at the Sakharov Museum in Moscow. Yuri Samodurov and Ludmila Vasilevskaia took the case to the European Court of Human Rights. The case is currently ongoing.
Contacts
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Nathalie Losekoot, Senior Programme Officer, Europe at ARTICLE 19, on +44 207 324 2509, Email: nathalie@article19.org
ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works around the world to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech.
HRH London, based on Article 19 press release and BBC information.
Related links:
