The Pussy Riot Phenomenon
From October 25th until March 10th, MAC at Place Ville Marie has been hosting an exhibit dedicated to Pussy Riot, the Russian music group dedicated to making a change in Russia’s government. Known for their erotic and explicit language, jarring tones, and large-scale protesting, the group has been making changes since 2011. Though they are activists at their core, Pussy Riot is also an artistic and musical phenomenon that took Russia by storm, whether Putin liked it or not.
The exhibition has visitors walk through the highs and lows of Pussy Riots history from 2011 until the present. The group was founded by Nadia Tolokonnikova in Moscow in response to Russia’s oppressive government. There was no fixed membership to the band, but they usually had somewhere from 10-20 members. Pussy Riot is essentially a feminist, anarchistic, politically motivated punk rock group (yes, they are as cool as they sound).
In 2012, Pussy Riot caught the world’s attention by performing their song “A Punk Prayer” inside the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to publicly oppose Putin’s ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. In the midst of urging the Virgin Mary to “become a feminist (…)/Bless our festering black-boss,” the women were arrested for “hooliganism”, and sentenced to two years in prison. In response to their sentence, imprisoned members called attention to the despicable conditions of the correction labour colonies in which they were being held, and Tolokonnikova even staged a five day hunger strike.
The world was watching, and celebrities, human rights groups, and citizens around the world banded together in an attempt to free Pussy Riot from Russian prison. Madonna was even threatened by the Russian government for publicly speaking out for the group during her international tour. When asked if they might perform someday with Madonna or Bjork, they responded saying “the only performances [they’ll] participate in are illegal ones” and refused to partake in capitalist performances that charged for tickets.
Upon release from prison, the group travelled to the 2014 Winter Olympics to perform their new song “Putin Will Teach You to Love the Motherland.” They were subsequently whipped and pepper sprayed by Cossacks. Until this day, the group continues to lobby for political and individual freedom in Russia and around the world, even releasing a song entitled “Make America Great Again” when Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. They are outspoken advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights and have been known to speak out publicly against Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
The exhibit itself is an interestingly laid out immersive experience with winding hallways and bright displays. As one enters into the lobby (down the hall from the pharmacy) they are directed towards a large curtain behind a neon lit sign with the words “Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot” on it. But only once that curtain is pushed aside does one start to experience the journey of this music group.
Starting on the left, large pictures, videos, and blocks of information are posted all over the walls. Arrows line the room in an attempt to help the viewers along, guiding them through the past. The perimeters of the rooms were lined with information about the history and activism of Pussy Riot, detailing their trials and tribulations, as well as their journeys and successes.
In sum, the Pussy Riot group has fought long and hard for change, and we are so happy to be seeing their work being documented. If you have the time, go see this exhibit. The whole experience takes under two hours, and it is so incredibly worth it.
