Synopsis:
Pinkwashing: Spin Me Out is an artistic project by Richard Harding (February 2019) featured at the Bundoora Homestead Art Centre in Australia until March 3, 2019. The purpose of this installation is to draw attention to pinkwashing that is occurring in Chechnya by the Kadyrov government to hide brutal ‘anti-gay purges’ in the country. The artist states that the objective of the artwork “has been to construct a non-linear narrative symbolizing the way these targeted attacks appear to be randomly activated and reported on.” (February 2019) However “with deeper scrutiny they come across as well planned and systematically premeditated having a devastating outcome and effect on the LGBT community.” (2019)
Rationale:
I find this art installation really eye-opening in the sense that it acknowledges how the media seems to avoid recognizing how these acts of violence and abuse are inherently connected and sometimes even encouraged by the state by utilizing stills of photography from an SBS Broadcast of the opening of the Veduchi Ski Resort in Chechnya. It shows that a lack of authentic media coverage works to absolve Chechnya of their anti-gay purges. Harding explains that “according to Andrew Roth from the Washington Post the Veduchi opening was designed to ‘symbolize the prosperity and peace’ brought about by the Kadyrov government.” (February 2019) However, this ignores ongoing abuse towards the LGBTQIA+ population in Chechnya which is symbolized by the stills literally being washed in pink.
URL/Link: Harding, Richard. (February 2019). ‘Pinkwashing’ at Bundoora Homestead Art Centre. Imprint Magazine.https://www.printcouncil.org.au/reiterated-instant-2-4-2-2/
Keywords: Systemic Violence, Pinkwashing, State Brutality and Abuse, Creative Resistance, Activism
Author: Ashelyn Latam
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