Russian museum closed as politically charged satirical portraits confiscatedAugust 28, 2013 - 18:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net -
The provocative “Museum of Authority” in St. Petersburg was closed shortly after Tuesday August 27 confiscation of four satirical portraits, including a painting of Russia’s president and premier clad in women’s underwear, police said, according to RIA Novosti. “The museum’s building was sealed during yesterday’s inspection because police officers were unable to obtain documentation about the building and the property it contains,” the regional police department said. The museum’s owner Alexander Donskoy confirmed the information, adding that “no one is going to let us open the museum so far.” Police inspected the building on Monday evening after being informed that it contains exhibits that might violate the existing Russian laws. The police did not say which laws may have been broken, although Russia does have a law against “insulting representatives of authority.” Four paintings were confiscated to be examined by experts. The seized oil on canvas portrait by painter Konstantin Altunin depicts President Vladimir Putin in a pink-white nightgown touching the hair of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, clad in nothing but a push-up bra and panties. The portrait was displayed at the museum’s “Rulers” exhibition that opened in Russia’s second-largest city less than two weeks ago. Police confiscated the canvas along with a portrait of local lawmaker Vitaly Milonov titled “Rainbow Milonov,” a painting named “Erotic Dreams of Lawmaker [Yelena] Mizulina” and a portrait of Moscow Patriarch Kirill wearing prison tattoos with skulls and profiles of Soviet leaders Vladimir Lenin and Josef Stalin. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |