What are the current effects of censorship and discrimination on contemporary art and culture in Russia?

Early this year, we started tracking the repressive scene in Russia with Fresh Talk: Pussy Riot. Our podcast featured a new documentary about three members of the Russian punk group Pussy Riot who went on trial in 2012 for an illegal performance in a Moscow church. Two of the young women are still serving time.

Fast forward to recent events in St. Petersburg. In advance of the G20 summit there last month, several art spaces were raided, including the Museum of Authorities, an apartment cum art gallery. Police confiscated a painting of Putin in lingerie by a Russian artist that has since sought refuge in France.

We’re wondering what compelled Russia lawmakers to pass anti gay legislation and stage crackdowns right before hosting two cultural events of global proportions in 2014—Manifesta 10, in St. Petersburg, and the Winter Olympics, in Sochi.

To take place from June to October 2014, Manifesta has made a statement by naming a Berliner as chief curator. Kasper Konig, known for his consistent defiance of art censorship, is expected to give critical attention to the issue of creative freedom. Russian-Jewish curator Marat Guelman, director of the Perm Museum of Contemporary Art (PERMM), has not been successful at taking a liberal stance. In fact, Guelman was terminated late last month after installing an exhibition that criticized Russian authoritarianism and the upcoming Sochi Olympics.

This spring, Fresh VUE featured the Hermitage State Museum, site of Manifesta 10.