And here I thought we should be discussing a transition from the feudal, redundant snooze fest of state funding that procures the so-called National Pavillions every two years at the otherwise lovely Bienalle Jardini. But no, let's bring the cultural discourse back a few decades and discuss the role of culture in nationalism. (pssst…. Culture doesn't have a role in nationalism; that is propaganda)

From Eurovision to FIFA ( of all oligarch supporting places), from the Glasgow Film festival to Cannes, to Spotify and the Met, a growing list of venues and institutions in the cultural and sports industry have issued a blanket or selective Russian ban. The Arts Council of England "advised" the cancellation of all Russian exhibitions and loans. (Also "advised" to seek "legal advice" before actually canceling any contracts; this is, after all, a corporatocracy). La Biennale di Venezia's official statement takes a page out of art criticism, saying essentially nothing: "expresses its complete solidarity for this noble act of courage and stands beside the motivations that have led to this decision" (drink for every unnecessary word in that sentence). La Biennale remains a six-month-long art fair where everything is for sale; oops, sorry, my bad, that's not what it says; The Biennale remains "a place where peoples meet in art and culture (and Aperol) "and condemns all those who use violence to prevent dialogue and peace."
War prevents a bit more than dialogue and peace; it also prevents breathing. Just FYI.

While some institutions have issued a selective ban on federally funded projects, expressing solidarity to regime opposing voices, this has not always been the case in our Western "civilized," "freedom-loving" world, which is troubling. Surely, SURELY we all agree by now that culture transcends nationality? It would be almost impossible to weed out nationality out of nearly anyone in our late-stage globalization, let alone world-traveling artists. What about 30% of the Russian-speaking Ukraine population? Or am I assuming a similarly significant Ukrainian-speaking Russian population? Can we consume their art?

I scolded my dad for buying my son a national flag for the latest iteration of Greek revisionist history on March 25th. "When the Turks come…" ( I have heard this my whole life), he scolded back. The allegiance to the flag is going to keep us (Greeks) together to fight. "Allegiance to the flag" allows governments to declare freedom restricting laws (which will remain in force long after the "national" threat is forgotten, see 9/11). Also, spending a disproportionate amount of the state budget on police and military instead of care and climate change is the actual threat to our civilization. All while we post Fuck Putin memes.

What about all the Germans who have bought land in Peloponnese? Won't they want to protect their property and their spot in the sun? I shot back, and I was only half kidding. Can't progress and freedom-loving people unite in the fight against the current and any aggression? Wouldn't there be MORE of us fighting if we come together to adhere to peace, freedom and human rights instead of one nation's cultural identity  (whatever that can mean nowadays) at the expense of minorities?

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