The Belarus Free Theatre, a renowned underground theater group operating in exile since 2020, has announced its participation in the 61st Venice Biennale with the exhibition titled "Official. Unofficial. Belarus." This event will take place at the historic La Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista di Venezia, opening on May 9, with a pre-opening during the vernissage week from May 6 to 8, and will be on display until November 22.
Curated by Natalia Kaliada, cofounder of the Belarus Free Theatre, alongside Daniella Kaliada, the exhibition aims to delve into the complexities of how art is created, suppressed, and experienced under the watchful eye of authoritarian regimes.
"Official. Unofficial. Belarus." emphasizes that it is the independent Belarusian culture, rather than the regime, that holds the true cultural authority," said Natalia Kaliada. "Our collective of Belarusian artists, now in exile, represents a nation rich in artistic talent and innovation. We are excited to present our homeland through our unique perspectives, countering the narrative defined by the state. Together, we form an artistic constellation that is impossible to overlook, one that transcends any state institution. We aspire for this moment to resonate beyond the present, paving the way for Belarusian culture to reclaim its rightful place on the global stage."
The exhibition will create a "twilight zone between spiritual tradition and totalitarian present," featuring site-specific works such as new paintings by Sergey Grinevich that serve as altar panels, an organ soundscape titled Sounds of Silence by Olga Podgayskaya, and a striking nine-foot sphere made from banned books in Belarus, crushed by a bulldozer claw, created by Nicolai Khalezin.
Additionally, a nearby cemetery will host a sound installation featuring recorded testimonies from recently released political prisoners, accompanied by large sculptures crafted from prison bars by Vladimir Tsesler. His works reinterpret the traditional Belarusian straw pajak, or "spider," a form of folk art.
Outside the church, an installation titled Surveillance Crucifixion will be presented, composed entirely of CCTV cameras. This thought-provoking piece aims to blur the lines between the observer and the observed, challenging power dynamics and inviting surveillance into a sacred space.
Since its inception in 2005, the Belarus Free Theatre, led by Kaliada and her husband Nikolai Khalezin--both advocates for human rights--has utilized theater as a platform to critique and resist the oppressive policies of President Alexander Lukashenko. Following their asylum in the UK in 2011, they have continued to operate the theater from abroad, conducting rehearsals via Skype with actors in Minsk.
In the aftermath of the 2020 and 2021 protests against Lukashenko's government, the rest of the troupe was also forced into exile. Many members initially sought refuge in Ukraine before relocating to Warsaw or the UK, where they continue to collaborate with Ukrainian and Belarusian refugees, fostering a spirit of resilience and solidarity.