"A few dozen" activists in pink balaclavas and flower garlands protested against the Russian war in Ukraine, writes Artnews. They were accompanied by activists from the protest group Femen who had messages written on their bare breasts. "Russia kills! The Biennale is exhibiting!" was one of the slogans.
Some activists brought guitars, others came with large portable speakers, and the protest soon turned into a large punk concert, writes Artnews.
The protest was led by Nadja Tolokonnikova from Pussy Riot, who proposed that she and her colleagues take over the Russian pavilion to show how Russia is "once again becoming a gulag."
