Schellhorn's alien art project: FPÖ demands resignation!

Schellhorn's alien art project: FPÖ demands resignation!

Berlin-Moabit, Deutschland - On June 18, 2025, an artistic project by the Belarusian artist Marina Naprushkina in Berlin. Under the patronage of the Neos State Secretary the artist stages an alien figure. This presentation falls into a political context, which is also due to the critical reaction of the FPÖ general secretary Michael Schledtlitz , which shellhorns engagement is expressly considered. He criticizes that the monthly content of the State Secretary of over 17,000 euros is not justified by working focus, and calls for his resignation if he does not fully devote himself to his political duties.

Naprushkina, who has lived in Germany for twelve years and has positioned itself against the authoritarian Lukaschenko regime in Belarus, founded the “New Neighborhood Moabit” initiative. This initiative offers German, painting and performance courses for refugees and thus creates a platform of cultural exchange. Every week around 150 refugees and neighbors meet in a neighborhood café to talk to each other.

art, politics and society

The debate about the political autonomy of art is becoming more important in this context. Art is understood as a mirror of society, but is often under the pressure of political instrumentalization. As explained in a contribution by Political culture , the politicization of art leads to a control of artistic expression.

It has also been intensively discussed for some time, to what extent art freedom is endangered in Germany. Political interventions in cultural areas, which already take place in other European countries, could also have an impact in this country. These developments concern not only artistic freedom, but also the social functionality based on independent art.

The commitment of Naprushkina

Naprushkina not only sees her project as an artistic work, but as a personal commitment to refugees. She offered painting courses for children who initially had difficulty integrating into the new social environment. Despite initial conflicts among the children, it turns out that the exchange and commonality have improved the mood and friendships have arisen.

In her approach of art, she looks at the political conditions and the human rights situation in her home country as part of her artistic identity and thus creates a bridge between art and social responsibility. Your work is therefore about contemporary art, which not only stimulates reflection, but also actively appeals to social problems.