Ukrainian 'Origami Deer' Sculpture Tours Europe Ahead of Venice Biennale

The 'Origami Deer' sculpture, created by Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova in 2019, is currently on a tour across six European countries before its prominent display at the 61st Venice Biennale. This concrete artwork, originally installed in a park in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, was removed in 2024 as Russian troops advanced and occupied the city. The sculpture serves as a poignant symbol of forced exile and the fragility of diplomatic assurances, particularly referencing the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which saw Ukraine relinquish its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees that have not materialized.

The Straits Times

The sculpture's tour includes stops in Warsaw, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Brussels, and Paris, culminating in its exhibition at the Venice Biennale from May 9 to November 22, 2024. The pavilion, titled "Security Guarantees," will feature the 'Origami Deer' alongside Russian exhibits, a decision that has sparked significant controversy and protests.

The inclusion of Russian artists at the Venice Biennale has drawn international criticism, particularly given their exclusion from the 2022 and 2024 editions due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Leonid Marushchak, a historian involved in the sculpture's evacuation, emphasized the importance of global reactions to the situation, stating, “It’s very important for us to see how the entire world reacts to the situation, supporting us and opposing Russia’s participation.” The European Union has even threatened to cut funding for the Biennale in response to the controversy.

The Straits Times

Kadyrova's 'Origami Deer' not only represents a physical artwork but also embodies a broader political message about the ongoing conflict and the unfulfilled promises of security. The artist articulated this sentiment, noting, “So it’s no more than paper,” in reference to the Budapest Memorandum. Marushchak has been actively involved in rescuing artworks from eastern Ukraine, often at great personal risk, including a dramatic operation to save a 700-year-old stone lion statue from Bakhmut in 2023.

The Straits Times

While the Ukrainian team does not plan to stage a protest at the Biennale, they hope for international mobilization to pressure the event organizers regarding Russian participation. Marushchak expressed concerns about the challenges faced during evacuations, stating, “Other evacuations were difficult in that we didn’t succeed as much as we wanted because the frontline was too close and the danger was too big.”

The Straits Times

There are varying perspectives on the implications of Russian participation in the Venice Biennale, with some advocating for a complete boycott while others argue for the inclusion of diverse voices in the arts. The situation remains fluid, and the full impact of the Biennale's decisions on international relations and cultural diplomacy is yet to be seen.

• “It’s very important for us to see how the entire world reacts to the situation, supporting us and opposing Russia’s participation,” — Leonid Marushchak, Historian

The Straits Times

• “So it’s no more than paper,” — Zhanna Kadyrova, Artist

The Straits Times

• “Other evacuations were difficult in that we didn’t succeed as much as we wanted because the frontline was too close and the danger was too big,” — Leonid Marushchak, Historian

The Straits Times