Kiev artist is under a threat of a criminal proceedings for "icons" with monkeys

Artist Ilya Chichkan in the Kiev gallery "Karas" has exhibited works in which monkeys are depicted in iconic frames. Criminal proceedings for the exhibition "Psychodarwinism: the evolution of psycho" were initiated under Article 161 of the Criminal Code: "Violation of the equality of citizens, depending on their race, nationality or attitude to religion", writes "KP in Ukraine".

"I invented the concept of psycho-Darwinism for myself, and that's my theory," Chichkan told reporters about his work. "As a basis, I did not take real icons with the faces of saints, in which I painted monkeys. This is my interpretation on a given topic."

Igor Khronenko, associate professor of the Kiev Theological Academy, a member of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Museum believes that if these pictures are converted from a religious image, then yes – this is desecration of the icon and nothing more than blasphemy and breach of the sanctity of religion). If the pictures are drawn afresh, then the exhibition of this genre should be treated as an abstraction and not taken at your own expense.

The provocative works have already been removed from the exhibition.