Here's the painting that Anna Netrebko produced for a Russian charity auction. Entitled Celebrant, it's one of 28 contributed by various Russian slebs.
Before you gasp at her hitherto-concealed talents, it's worth pointing out that the organiser's website notes that, like Vladimir Putin's contribution, it was created 'in collaboration' with artist Nadezhda Anfalova.
You can vote for your favourite painting of the 28 here. La Netrebka - Анна Нетребко in Russian - is second from the bottom. The grey button on the bottom left places the vote and takes you to the results screen - where currently Anna is just edging out Putin in the poll.
Vote early! Vote now! Vote often!
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UPDATE - 19 January - Anna is soaring to victory with more than 50% of the votes cast so far! Vladimir Putin - for once on the wrong side of a rigged election - trails far behind in a miserable fourth place.
You can vote as often as you like providing you wipe your cookies or reboot between each vote. Again, the link is here.
I followed YOUR orders and placed my vote.
I then followed YOUR orders and tried to place another vote but was faced with this message:
"Вы не можете дважды принимать участие в этом опросе"
which for mere mortals like myself was translated by one of those handy translation websites as:
"You cannot take part in this interrogation twice"
You'll understand why the use of the word "interrogation" has forced me to highlight YOUR part in encouraging me to vote.
Posted by: TheManWithStillMessyHair | 15 January 2009 at 03:07 PM
Thanks! I voted! Now she is on the first position!
Posted by: Carlos | 15 January 2009 at 04:18 PM
Come on TMWSMH, you can't give up that easily! Wipe ur cookies, pinch someone else's puter!
This contest isn't just about painting, it's music v.politics, art v.the state. Anna must thrash Putin, and it's your duty to help by placing as many votes as humanly possible.
Opera needs you!
Posted by: inter mezzo | 15 January 2009 at 09:13 PM
I trembled...I shook with fear...but I found the courage from somewhere...where I don't know...I'll never know...but I just found it...and like Doris Day I washed "that man right out of my hair" and wiped those cookies and voted for Anna...for Opera...for Art!
It was still YOUR idea though.
Posted by: TheManWithStillMessyHair | 16 January 2009 at 11:03 AM