This is a very ambitious show for the Anderson Gallery. And this is a special circumstance for Richmond, bringing in world-class artists for an unorthodox show. It's a challenge for them and a risk for us.

while grounded in representation, all these artists incorporate unusual, space-altering perspectives, surprising shifts in scale and unorthodox sight lines - pensive individuals are glimpsed in profile or from behind while walking somewhere. Architecture figures prominently, especially in rooms that are worn, yet spacious and inviting.

We decided to import artists instead of art.

People in power were brought up under the communist regime. All of this makes democracy weak and civil society still nascent.

Russia wants to restore its superpower status, and that includes putting these countries back into its orbit.

The Kremlin is very keen that whoever replaces Luzhkov should be a loyal and malleable figure.