Valentin Rodionov, the director of the Tretyakov Gallery has sued Minister of Culture of RF Alexander Sokolov. "I am certainly surprised with this proceeding. I find it inadequate" - the minister says.
      
      The proceeding was caused by the minister's statements regarding the exhibition "Sots-Art. Political art from Russia" held by the Tretyakov Gallery in Paris from October 19.
      
      Before the opening of the exposition Vladimir Sokolov had denounced it as "pornography" and "shame for Russia". The minister was most of all disgusted by the works of Sinie Nosy art-group, in particular by their photo "Kissing Militiamen" from the series "Era of Mercy". In the end certain pictures did not get to the exposition and remained in Russia.
      
      Valentin Rodionov pretensions might be conditioned by the minister's statements about "corruption".
      
      At the press-conference following the opening of the exhibition in Paris Alexander Sokolov said: "There is no Sots-art there (in those works), but antipode of sots-art appears instead. These are artists who have not been living in Russia for 20-30 years already and are first of all interested in business. They wanted their works to be included in the catalogue of the Tretyakov Gallery, as it would make them more expensive. Here we see private interests intruding into the state policy. If such initiative passes, it is nothing but corruption".
      
      Sources:
      regnum.ru,
      narodinfo.ru,
      upmonitor.ru