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Russian Prosecutors Investigate After Exhibition Draws Complaints Russia: Prosecutors Investigate After Exhibition Draws Complaints
(about 1 hour later)
Prosecutors in St. Petersburg are investigating an exhibition at the State Hermitage Museum by the British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman for possible violations of a law on inciting religious hatred. The exhibition, which opened in October, is called “The End of Fun” and addresses themes of violence and fascism in a series of installations resembling a chamber of horrors. A statement posted Friday on the Web site of the St. Petersburg prosecutor’s office said that “numerous citizens” had complained that the exhibition “offends the feelings of Orthodox believers and contains actions directed at degrading the dignity of citizens who profess Christianity.” The installations include a figure of the McDonald’s clown mascot, Ronald McDonald. crucified on a cross. Mikhail Piotrovsky, the Hermitage’s director, said the investigation of the exhibition was a sign of “the cultural degradation of our society,” according to the Interfax news agency. Members of the band Pussy Riot were tried and convicted in a similar case this year.Prosecutors in St. Petersburg are investigating an exhibition at the State Hermitage Museum by the British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman for possible violations of a law on inciting religious hatred. The exhibition, which opened in October, is called “The End of Fun” and addresses themes of violence and fascism in a series of installations resembling a chamber of horrors. A statement posted Friday on the Web site of the St. Petersburg prosecutor’s office said that “numerous citizens” had complained that the exhibition “offends the feelings of Orthodox believers and contains actions directed at degrading the dignity of citizens who profess Christianity.” The installations include a figure of the McDonald’s clown mascot, Ronald McDonald. crucified on a cross. Mikhail Piotrovsky, the Hermitage’s director, said the investigation of the exhibition was a sign of “the cultural degradation of our society,” according to the Interfax news agency. Members of the band Pussy Riot were tried and convicted in a similar case this year.