dot dot is dead

Moscow's historic Manezh exhibition hall is burning following the election: "Hundreds of people -- many in a celebratory mood after taking part in Sunday's presidential election, which election officials had ordered to be treated like a holiday -- gathered on Manezh Square to watch the blaze. They cheered 'Hurrah!' as each section of the building's roof collapsed with a loud crash."

Interesting psychology, that. I saw the Moscow Fotobiennal 2002 exhibit there, such a nice building, such nice artwork. Hundreds of paintings burned in that fire, reportedly not an accident. It was election day.

The only way a fire of such magnitude and speed could have started, the experts said, was through a powerful source of heat.

A cynical friend in Moscow writes:

Frankly, Manezh was an ugly piece of early 19th century architecture. Of course, I reserve no doubts that our contemporaries will be able to easily surpass their two-hundred-years-ago colleagues in the mediocrity, but I feel zero pity for that huge "saray"...

I can't feel that way, huge Сарай (barn/shed). This post is dedicated to Russia's artists.