MAPPING
DIASPORA

Russian Art Beyond Borders

The Centre for Studies in Russian, Central Asian, and Caucasian Art (CSAR) at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is pleased to present the project Mapping Diaspora: Russian Art Beyond Borders. This initiative serves as both a gathering point and an analytical platform for artistic projects created by individuals who left Russia following February 24, 2022.

The central question guiding this inquiry is:

How does the experience
of migration and exile influence the languages, themes and practices
of contemporary Russian artists and intellectuals?

The departure of a substantial number of intellectuals is closely connected to a profound sense of solidarity with, and compassion for, the populations affected by Russia’s military actions.
This exodus not only reflects personal and ethical considerations but also signals the emergence of new artistic and intellectual trajectories beyond national borders.

Mapping Diaspora: Russian Art Beyond Borders represents an initiative dedicated to collecting, connecting, and critically reflecting on artistic practices and experiences emerging from one of the most prominent intellectual migrations of our time.

The project aims to “map” - in a literal and conceptual sense - the experiences, creations, and ongoing processes that have shaped recent years, offering both documentation and analytical insight.

This work is structured around four thematic sections: “ART,” “conTEXTS,” “Dialogues,” and “Events.”

ART presents artistic works and projects realized through diverse media and creative languages, highlighting the multiplicity of approaches within contemporary Russian art in diaspora.
conTEXTS compiles critical essays, reflections, and analyses by researchers, curators, journalists, and writers, providing multi-perspective interpretations of the current artistic landscape.
Dialogues offers a platform for participants to engage with urgent questions concerning personal identity, the contemporary moment, and the intellectual and emotional conditions shaping their practice today.

Events disseminates information about exhibitions, gatherings, and other initiatives, both organized by the project and resonant with its thematic concerns.

The project does not seek to establish a dichotomy between those who left Russia and those who remained. On the contrary, it emphasizes the continuity and interconnections within what was once a shared cultural field. In light of increasing censorship within Russia and the potential re-establishment of an “iron curtain,” dissenting voices in Russian culture risk being marginalized, both in scholarly research and in broader public discourse.

While forced migration is not unique to Russia, this project situates the Russian experience within a broader global context of displacement caused by war, repression, and social injustice. We aim to foster collaboration with exiled artists and researchers from diverse geopolitical contexts, establishing Mapping Diaspora as a meeting point for multiple, intersecting voices.

An international team of specialists contributes to the project, collectively building new professional networks, supportive spaces, and platforms for intercultural dialogue.