Exhibition "No" by Meduza: how independent journalism meets contemporary art to combat news avoidance

In 2025, Meduza, the leading Russian-language media outlet in exile, will reflect on the last dramatic decade and the state of independent journalism through the exhibition “No”, which combines documentary materials and contemporary art. The exhibition, scheduled from April 25 to July 6, 2025, at Kunstraum Kreuzberg / Bethanien in Berlin, explores the most painful topics and events of the past 10 years and how one small but stubborn journalistic team lived through these events. The exhibition explains what media work looks like from the inside, tells the story of journalists as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, and explores the vital forces that give us the strength to keep resisting and reporting.
Meduza is celebrated as a pioneer in breakthrough journalism. The exhibition “No” continues Meduza’s approach to expanding the limits of journalistic storytelling. It merges an impartial documentary narrative with in-depth essays and edgy contemporary art. By breaking the fourth wall — borrowing this concept from theater, where the imaginary barrier between performers and the audience is removed — the exhibition creates an intimate and direct connection between the journalists and the audience.
In a world where news avoidance is on the rise and freedom of speech is under attack, “No” — Meduza’s groundbreaking contemporary art exhibition — is a reminder about the key role of independent journalism in democracy, but also is an attempt to re-engage with the audiences through the peculiar interaction. The exhibition title, “No,” serves as a powerful statement of resistance and an invitation to think. In a world where saying “no” — especially in Russia — can lead to imprisonment or even worse, this project brings together voices that stand against war, dictatorship, and global crises. It shows that even in the darkest times, change is still possible.
This session will explore how and why a digital media outlet in exile decided to experiment with a new exhibition format and go beyond journalism. We will talk about the challenges of organizing such a multidisciplinary project while working under overwhelming pressure and constraints. Using the exhibition project as an example, we will also discuss the latest trends in crowdfunding, community building, and innovative ways to address news avoidance. And most importantly we will offer a rare chance to go behind the scenes of the exhibition and be among the first to explore this unique and impudent project.
Organised in association with Meduza.