Red Square is not a place for giant suitcases

The fund of Russian model Natalia Vodianova, Naked Hearts, is puzzled about the possible dismantling of the Louis Vuitton suitcase pavilion. The huge pavilion styled as a huge LV suitcase was erected on Red Square in Moscow, which raised concerns with the general public and politicians. Spokespeople for Naked Hearts set out a hope that everything about the project would eventually remain as it was originally conceived.

Photo: Source: Itar-Tass

The fund was to receive income from the sale of tickets to the show. Above all, the project was conceived as a cultural event, an exhibition, a historical flashback, representatives of the charity fund said. Moreover, Naked Hearts did not participate in the organization of the exhibition and was supposed to serve as a beneficiary of the project.

Natalia Vodianova, the founder of the charity fund, expressed a hope that the Louis Vuitton exhibition would be relocated from Red Square to another place.

"If the show does not take place, we will not be able to enjoy an exciting journey into history and beauty, but we will also lose charitable funds from ticket sales, which Louis Vuitton, conceiving the project, originally proposed to wire to the Foundation for Russian children Naked Hearts. Let's hope that the exhibition will not be canceled, but only moved to another place," Vodianova wrote on her Facebook page.

Meanwhile, the Moscow mayor's office has decided to shrug the problem off. Moscow officials said that they did not authorize the installation on Red Square. "This is Red Square, it is not within the scope of the Moscow authorities. These questions are coordinated by federal structures," the head of the department of regional security of the Office of the Moscow Mayor,  Alexei Mayorov told Interfax.

"This question is for federal agencies. The advertising department in the capital expressed incomprehension about the purpose of the installation of this design," he said.

The pavilion in the shape of a huge Louis Vuitton trunk was erected on Red Square on the eve of the exhibition of the French company dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Moscow GUM Trading House. The appearance of a foreign trunk on the main square of the country caused outrage among a number of bloggers, politicians and public figures.

On Wednesday, a Kremlin source said that the administration of the Russian presidential demanded the pavilion on Red Square should be dismantled. "The construction of the pavilion has not been coordinated with the administration of the Russian President," an official said.

Spokespeople for the presidential administration said that they were not related to the construction. Representatives of GUM Trading House also said that the pavilion was a temporary project. "This is a charity event for children with limited physical abilities, there is no itch for gain here," the chairman of the Strategic Development Committee of GUM, Mikhail Kusnirovich said.

Meanwhile, it became known that the controversial exhibition would be relocated - either to the territory the All-Russian Exhibition Centre or the Gorky Park.

"If we receive such a proposal, we will consider it accordingly," a representative of the All-Russian Exhibition Center said. According to the official, one would have to find a suitable place on the territory of the center where such a large construction could be erected.

The giant suitcase has not been dismantled yet, although the works to complete the construction have been suspended. On Wednesday afternoon, two rows of metal barriers appeared around the construction. Various construction materials can be seen around the "suitcase:" glass panels, metal props, etc. Security guards are on duty outside the pavilion; a tent was installed close to the construction, where guards drink tea and get warm.