Police conducted searches at Moscow’s Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, focusing on the archival building and a second building where Garage offers walking tours. Supervisors and curators were reportedly held and banned from using their phones during the searches. The law enforcement officers arrived in unmarked cars, did not introduce themselves to museum staff, and had a list of senior museum managers they wanted to speak with. At least six managers were being held at the Garage office as of Friday afternoon, according to reports.
Employees at both buildings denied that police searches were taking place, and there was no official confirmation or denial from law enforcement authorities. The reasons for the searches at Garage were unclear, with some employees linking it to LGBTQ+ literature stored in the archive. Earlier in April, the museum’s bookstore removed certain works, including the countercultural almanac Moloko Plus and publications from the left-wing publisher Directio Libera, following threats. It remains to be seen what prompted the police intervention at Garage Museum of Contemporary Art.
Garage Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 2008 by Daria Zhukova and her then-husband Roman Abramovich at the Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage. In 2012, the museum relocated to Gorky Park, where it continues to host exhibitions and events showcasing modern art. The museum has gained international recognition for its innovative programming and contributions to the contemporary art scene in Russia. The recent police searches have raised concerns about potential censorship or targeting of specific content at the museum.
The police searches at Garage come amidst a broader crackdown on freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ rights in Russia. Critics have raised concerns about the increasing restrictions on artistic expression and the suppression of LGBTQ+ voices in the country. The removal of certain publications from Garage’s bookstore and the alleged link between the searches and LGBTQ+ literature stored in the archive highlight the challenges facing cultural institutions in Russia. The international art community has expressed solidarity with Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in light of the police intervention.
The presence of police at the museum and the restrictions placed on supervisors and curators during the searches raise questions about the motives behind the intervention. The lack of official confirmation or denial from law enforcement authorities adds to the uncertainty surrounding the situation at Garage. Concerns about censorship, freedom of expression, and LGBTQ+ rights in Russia have been heightened by the recent events at the museum. The implications of the police searches on Garage’s operations and programming remain to be seen as the situation unfolds.
Garage Museum of Contemporary Art has been at the center of controversy before, with previous instances of censorship and threats impacting its activities. The museum’s commitment to showcasing diverse perspectives and challenging artistic boundaries has made it a target for those seeking to restrict artistic freedom. The recent police searches represent a concerning development in the ongoing challenges faced by cultural institutions in Russia. The art world is closely monitoring the situation at Garage and standing in solidarity with the museum as it navigates these difficult circumstances.
