Project Title: Inglourious Basterds: Heated Bus Stops
Transaction Types: Human Rights
Project Description:
From 2013 to 2017, Inglourious Basterds: Heated Bus Stops was a continuous, four-year actionism project in Yekaterinburg, Russia, engaging over 10,000 participants. The project emerged in response to the economic crisis triggered by international sanctions, which led to shortages of essential goods and widespread hardship. In the Ural region, where winter temperatures plummet to -40°C, the lack of reliable public transportation and heated bus stops became a life-threatening issue.
The project began in December 2013 after a young woman lost consciousness from hypothermia while waiting for a bus. This incident sparked a series of artistic interventions that transformed bus stops into symbols of resistance and human rights. Over the years, Inglourious Basterds evolved into a multifaceted movement, blending performance art, public protest, and political activism:
- 2013 — “Dolmens”: Snow structures resembling prehistoric megalithic tombs were built across the city, with signs reading, “A student froze here.” These installations highlighted the dangers of inadequate public infrastructure.
- 2014 — “How I Decided to Undress Everyone”: Naked and half-naked individuals began appearing at bus stops, their faces hidden, to draw attention to the vulnerability of citizens in the face of systemic neglect.
- 2015 — “Symbol of Freedom”: By this time, heated bus stops had become a symbol of freedom and human rights, akin to the Statue of Liberty. When developers destroyed the first heated bus stop, citizens rallied to demand their preservation, and artists began creating works in support of the movement.
- 2016 — “Castration”: Three men stood at a central bus stop in blood-stained white clothing, holding posters that read, “Without your support, we are neutered #heatedbusstops.” This provocative act underscored the emasculation of citizens by an indifferent system.
- 2017 — “Circus”: The project culminated in a political campaign under the slogan, “Politics is a circus, and I want to take part in this circus.” This marked the entry of Inglourious Basterds into the gubernatorial elections, with Leni Smoragdova running as a candidate for the Sverdlovsk region.
The project’s abrupt conclusion in 2017 mirrored its sudden emergence, leaving behind a legacy of artistic resistance and political engagement. Inglourious Basterds: Heated Bus Stops not only addressed the immediate issue of public infrastructure but also became a platform for broader discussions on human rights, civic responsibility, and the role of art in social change.
Six years later, hard times have come to Russia. A significant number of people have fled the country, while those who publicly expressed disagreement with the new laws faced imprisonment or were brutally silenced. Their businesses, jobs, and property were confiscated, leaving countless lives disrupted.
In 2024, the administration of the Sverdlovsk region officially acknowledged the need to install heated bus stops. However, the first of these stops failed to serve their intended purpose. Instead, they posed significant safety risks to public transport passengers:
- Non-compliance with electrical network regulations and fire safety standards.
- Lack of functional heat sources.
- Potential breeding grounds for viral infections, including new strains of COVID-19.
Despite these issues, the administration of Yekaterinburg stated in an official written response that it bears no responsibility for these pavilions. Ironically, the same bus stops are now being used to display advertisements featuring local officials.
The Inglourious Basterds Team has carried out several provocative art actions, blending social commentary with creative expression. Their works challenge the status quo and highlight the absurdities of contemporary life. Below are some of their notable projects:
- Action: “Time Goes By — The Temperature Does Not Change”
This performance art piece critiques the inefficiency and stagnation of public infrastructure, particularly the poorly designed heated bus stops in Yekaterinburg. - Street Art: “City of Demons”
The “City of Demons” series became a powerful visual metaphor for the struggles of everyday life under oppressive systems. - Caricatures
The team also produced a collection of biting caricatures targeting local officials and public figures. These satirical illustrations exaggerated the flaws and hypocrisies of those in power, often highlighting their involvement in controversial policies or scandals. Distributed as digital art, the caricatures quickly went viral, becoming a form of grassroots resistance and a way for citizens to voice their frustrations.
Through these actions, the Inglourious Basterds Team has established itself as a bold and unapologetic voice in the art world, using creativity to confront injustice and inspire change. Their work continues to resonate with those who feel marginalized or silenced by the systems in power.
