More than 30 works the artist Oleg Kulik arrested at a fair in Paris
ARTinvestment.RU   27 октября 2008

The French authorities have found that photographs and video of the Russian artist Oleg Kulik promoting violence and pornography

More than 30 works the artist Oleg Kulik arrested by the Paris police at contemporary art fair FIAC , which opened in the capital of France on 23 October, reported from Paris in an interview with RIA Novosti, Elena Selina, mistress XL gallery exhibited works by Oleg Kulik and also briefly arrested.

«Saturday at XL Gallery booth had the police, the prosecution presented to us that the photographs and video of Oleg Kulik spread messages containing violent and pornographic nature. Authorities arrested at work and me », - told Selina.

Those arrested have been photographs and videos, artist performances documented in different years: in particular, its remarkable performance of the 1990's Mad dog, where a naked Kulik layal in the collar and threw to passersby, or a video in New York New York, where Kulik two weeks sitting naked in a cage.

Selina added that acquired «invaluable experience with the French police». In total, the gallery mistress and her husband Sergei was held at the police about five hours until it was decided the court of their innocence. But the photos Kulik has not yet returned, and when returned, according to talk to the agency, is unclear.

According to Selina, problems have arisen because of the French Customs employees which compared the work exhibited at the stand, with custom lists of 22 October, began to bring claims to the content of the exhibition. This route, according to gallery owners, appealed to the court.

«October 23, the organizing committee of the FIAC we have brought the paper with a request to hang at the entrance to the stand a warning that our exposition may contain images of violent and sexual nature, which may shock the audience», - said the mistress galleries. These inscriptions were hanged at both entrances to the stand and, according to participants in the events themselves, viewers any discontent art by an XL gallery, not raised.

«A on 24 October, the police came and filed a warrant for the arrest and seizure of photographs. They do not understand that it is necessary to withdraw, were initially taken only those where Kulik with chains, and then took his photo from the performance with the books, where he three butterflies suspended on cranes », - explained interlocutrix agency.

Selina said that criminal proceedings are not brought, but it is going to discuss the situation with international colleagues.

«There is an impossible situation: not smoking, kissing on the street soon forbid, but if we can not show what happens in life! .. Something you can not show because обиделись animal welfare advocates, some because of the Islamists, or people who have no sexual life. I do not understand that we are soon going to do », - admitted interlocutrix agency.

Contemporary Art Fair FIAC, with the participation of 187 galleries from 20 countries, is held once in two premises: the Grand Palais given famous galleries, the Louvre courtyard and the square - for beginners. This major international art fair provides visitors and participants an overview of contemporary art the twentieth and the twenty-first century, and in Paris attracts collectors, antique dealers and art lovers from different countries.

At the fair, open to all comers, usually on display paintings and sculpture, photography, installation, printing, video - from the history of avant-garde to the most recent masterpieces of young contemporary artists. Among the Russian galleries participated in the FIAC XL gallery, gallery «Aidan» and gallery Guelman (M & J Guelman Gallery).

Source: rian.ru