Two major developments are shaking the international art world today, with longtime gallery partners announcing their split and Russian authorities escalating their crackdown on artistic dissent. After 35 years of successful collaboration, art dealers Michael Werner and Gordon VeneKlasen have decided to amicably end their joint business venture, while simultaneously, Russia's Ministry of Justice has moved to classify the feminist punk collective Pussy Riot as an extremist organization.
The partnership dissolution marks the end of one of the art world's most enduring collaborations. Michael Werner, founder of Michael Werner Gallery, and his longtime partner Gordon VeneKlasen announced in a statement to ARTnews that they have mutually agreed to separate their business operations. Despite the split, both dealers emphasized they will continue working together on select artist projects and museum exhibitions involving their shared roster of artists. The separation will officially take effect in February, with VeneKlasen planning to announce his new program in early 2026.
Following the division, each dealer will pursue independent paths while maintaining their established reputations. Werner will continue operating Galerie Michael Werner in Berlin, preserving the legacy he first established with Werner & Katz in 1963 and later expanded with Galerie Michael Werner in Cologne in 1969. VeneKlasen, who originally joined the gallery in 1990 to establish its New York presence and became a full partner in 2005, will launch an international gallery under his own name. He will assume control of the gallery's current locations in New York, London, and Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, in Russia, the political climate for artists continues to deteriorate as authorities target creative expression. During a live durational performance titled "POLICE STATE" by Nadya Tolokonnikova at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Russian Ministry of Justice simultaneously moved to classify the Pussy Riot collective as an extremist organization. This development represents a significant escalation in Russia's crackdown on artistic and political dissent, targeting the feminist punk group known for their provocative performances criticizing the Russian government.
Despite the challenging political environment, some Russian cultural initiatives are still moving forward. Billionaire couple Andrey and Yelizaveta Molchanov from St. Petersburg are pressing ahead with their new cultural venture, Zilart, which opens in Moscow on December 2. Their museum will showcase a diverse collection spanning Russian avant-garde, Soviet nonconformist art, international contemporary works, photography, design, and decorative arts, including pieces by Vik Muniz, Mike Kelley, and Helmut Newton, as well as over 1,000 African artworks.
The Zilart project emerges at a particularly challenging time when political repression and international sanctions have made Russia's private museums increasingly vulnerable. Many owners and curators have fled abroad, while several institutions have struggled to remain operational or have shut down entirely. However, the Molchanovs maintain close ties to the state, with the museum's advisor being Alexander Borovsky of the State Russian Museum, and the project receiving full support from LSR, Andrey's St. Petersburg property development company.
The creation of Zilart has faced numerous obstacles throughout its development process. An early partnership with the prestigious Hermitage Museum dissolved, and an original architectural design by Hani Rashid was scrapped and replaced with a new concept by architect Sergei Tchoban. The museum, which reportedly houses around 10,000 works, will be directed by Irina Tolpina, formerly of Moscow's Manege exhibition hall. Andrey Molchanov, who heads LSR and previously served as a member of Russia's Federation Council, has assembled this eclectic collection with his wife over many years.
In other international art news, more than 70 paintings from the renowned Leiden Collection are currently on display at the Norton Museum of Art in South Florida. The collection, owned by Thomas S. Kaplan, features the world's largest private collection of Rembrandt canvases and represents a significant cultural attraction for American audiences. Additionally, the Biennale de Arte Paiz recently opened its 24th edition in Guatemala, titled "El Árbol del Mundo" (The Tree of Life), marking the organizers' ambitious attempt to expand the event's international reach and establish a stronger presence on the global art stage.
These developments highlight the complex challenges facing the international art world today, from business partnerships adapting to changing market conditions to artists and cultural institutions navigating increasingly restrictive political environments. The contrast between the collaborative spirit of the Werner-VeneKlasen split and the repressive actions against Pussy Riot illustrates the varying degrees of artistic freedom across different regions of the global art community.
