Mock occupation by activists in military uniforms mimics Russia’s military incursion into east Ukraine
Mimicking the Russian military involvement in east Ukraine, a group of Ukrainian artists and activists have staged a mock-occupation of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale, descending on the venue in camouflage fatigues.
The artists then urged visiting tourists to take selfies wearing military uniforms they handed out.
The uniforms had the words “On Vacation” printed on them, a reference to the now-infamous remarks during Russia’s 2014 invasion of eastern Ukraine, when the separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said the Russian soldiers were enjoying a “vacation … among brothers who are fighting for their freedom”.
On their website, the activists are asking visitors to the Venice Bienniale art show to find an #onvacation representative, as they call themselves, put on a uniform and then take a selfie in “an occupying power of your choice” and post it to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #onvacation.
“#onvacation challenges the viewer to actualise their opinions and beliefs about their understanding and experience of occupation,” said a statement on the website.
It added: “The project offers an entirely genuine engagement in a well-known structure – the free vacation sweepstakes, but it also positions this engagement in a conflict that is constantly denied by the occupying power.”
Originally Published by Guradian News.
