Wojnarowicz from the exhibition Hide/Seek at the The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, as a result of religious censorship, is raising questions to what extent the process of increasing conservatism is similar (or not) to the one in Russia or to what extent this might be a global process; closer look at some of the cases might reveal a striking picture of similarities, not well known by the international democratic community, but which requires immediate attention and action.
Some of the most absurd cases of censorship in Russia are in the common sphere of Orthodox Christian and state censorship. Among the extremists recognized by the court is the classic of Russian literature, Leo Tolstoy (1928-1910). In 2010 he had been found posthumously guilty of extremism under the law 28At respectively Institutions like the Louvre. Are shows like this to Prove how Russia is now Democratic. Although Carefully Planned as a demonstration of the free Russia the show open with a big scandal. The artist Avdej Ter-Oganian, Who Lives in Political asylum in Prague Since 1998, under law 282 Being Persecuted for His performance "The Young Atheist" refused to show historical works at the Louvre, Malthus Addressing the Increasing Religious and state censorship, of Which I is a victim. Also have required a resolution of the historical situation of fellow artist Oleg Mavromatti, Whose case is one of the Loudest Currently and resemblance Some of the arguments around Wojnarowicz's piece. The big difference Though Is That Not Only Mavromatti's art has Been Persecuted, But Also His life is ito the Attorney General Office. WAS Mavromatti Accused of Organising a satanic ritual, to intentionally Offend the feelings of Christians. His home WAS searched on 07.07.2000 and all historical video and film Were confiscate materials. (The video from the performance "Do Not Believe Your Eyes!" Was Shown at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art at the show "Blood: Lines and Connections" 2003, Not Without Contradictions. It's removal WAS required, pero curator Sydney Payton Refuse to take it down.)
Mavromatti Was the second to Be Persecuted under law after Ter-Oganian 282. He escaped from Russia in 2000 and Lived Both in Bulgaria and the U.S. with historical historical Until Bulgarian Russian wife WAS Refused passport renewal in 2010. Mavromatti's application for Political WAS denied asylum in Bulgaria in 2002. Not yet a member of EU, Bulgaria Then WAS much more dependent on Russia. I left the U.S. (where His wife Boryana Dragoeva is Pursuing a PhD at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) Returning to Bulgaria in June 2010 to renew historical Russian passport. Left Without a passport, I is Kept in limbo.
Now under the pressure of the new Refugee Circumstances have in Bulgaria is seeking again. He has the support of important local and international Authorities like the NY Senator Kristin Gillibrand and the European Cultural Parliament. Despit
That, the situation is Not optimistic. Bulgaria has never Given Refugee Status to Any citizen of the Russian federation. The Laws for foreigners in Bulgaria Are Still Not Able to Meet thand contemporary Requirements, THEREFORE Many people, in a similar situation like Mavromatti Are Forced to reside illegally in Poverty or in detention camps.
Mavromatti's current application and the Following result (to be Expected from the Bulgarian Authorities Within the next months) will show to What Extent the International Democratic community and Bulgaria in particular dog make a decision in support of freedom of speech. The Russian Authorities require
Mavromatti's return to Moscow WHERE I Immediate arrest is Threatened by His case is Heard Before. 282 Under the law, is Facing Mavromatti 3-5 years in prison. The Conditions in Russian Prisons Are Very Bad, But This Is Not the only thing to be afraid of. The Violence of the Majority Against the politicized criminalcal minority of Prisoners is fed by the so-Called "Religious and patriotic resistance Against the Traitors of the country," what the artist Fears the most. To address Fears of Immediate death, Mavromatti created the art piece "Ally / Foe 's, which recently Gained international popularity. Ally / Foe is an online voting system for the conviction or release of the artist. If a Majority of the votes are "guilty" an electric shock is released Into the artist's body. Law 282
Had Been Used in Russia to successfully convict Other artists, curators, exhibition Organizers and Journalists. Since 1998, When the first Case Against Ter-Oganian the artist WAS open, the tension entre the intelligentsia and the HAD scale Religious Fractionsti's case be the beginning of an anti-conservative international resistance against censorship?
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strezzen at Che tvoritsa something .. 
Arkady Smolin, a columnist for RAPS 
Georgy Dorokhov 