The Theatre Times: Taking place 100 years after the Russian Revolution, Art Riot: Post-Soviet Actionism opened at London’s Saatchi Gallery. The show brings together contemporary Russian and Ukrainian artists whose work is focused on both the power of political protest and highlighting censorship. The artists in the show also all demonstrated solidarity with the Russian protest art group Pussy Riot during their arrest and subsequent trial in 2012.
8 comments:
Protest art groups such as this one have such an impact on society and the way people view the current political events happening around the world, and I love seeing articles like this that celebrate everything they stand for. I had never heard of Pussy Riot until now, but their work sounds immersive and aggressive in the best way. I think Tolokonnikova suggesting “part of the problem is we have become complacent about our political systems” really hits the nail on the head as far as the way society views protest. In January, I attended the Women’s March on Washington after Donald Trump was elected. Numerous people told me that it “didn’t matter” and “wasn’t going to make a difference.” I think people, especially artists sometimes, forget about their freedom to speak out and use their voice because of how intimidating it is. Pussy Riot’s perseverance through problems with authorities and being smothered is very inspirational and I would love to see their work some day.
I find Russian protest art and activism particularly fascinating as for a long time I was relatively ignorant to the state of human rights under Putin until the events of recent years and the U.S. election illuminated them to me. I think that some of the boldest and most important works of art have been made when the artist is willing to sacrifice their own personal well being and risk persecution, or even death, in order to express a statement that extends beyond their self and well being. Activism and protest art in Russia is a strong example of this, as the Putin regime has been proven to silence dissent efficiently and ruthlessly, and yet groups such as Pussy Riot are still willing to stand up to the oppressive government in defense of their beliefs. Artists like those in Russia are an inspiration to me, and should be to us all, as I agree that we cannot expect anything to change if we aren't willing to speak truth to power, despite the cost.
I have always seen Pussy Riot and their videos on YouTube and social media, and I guess I never really researched who made up the group and the struggles that they have gone through to create and promote their art work. It is interesting that when I read this article that I did not feel particularly connected to the work that the Pussy Riot produces or speaks about. You would have thought that a bunch of feminist creative work would have spoken to me, but it seems that while I fully believe in the quality of art to be political and I agree that art in today's world can and should be political, I have never personally had the experience of being shut down, imprisoned, etc. because of the art or work that I have created. This is the part of the Pussy Riot's message that is important to get across, just as much as the actual political message that is within their work.
I have been so drawn to political art lately which I find unusual. Normally I like more subtle uses of art and story telling but there is something so engaging about a highly critical incisive art piece that just draws me in like nothing else now. Pussy riot has been doing revolutionary work for a long time now and it is cool to see that they are still out there working. I think at some level, all art is political. Especially in this age. With politics being such an integral part of our daily lives, it is impossible to escape and impossible to make a statement that is completely devoid of any political statement. Even if there was no intention in the piece for it to be political, it is inevitable that audience will extrapolate any piece they see into something political or topical like that. Even though the efficacy of radical art like this is up to debate, I think it is insanely important that it continues no matter how ineffective it is, because there is no doubt that some pieces do have an impact and if all political revolutionary art stops, then There is a guarantee that they will never be effective but as long as there is political art out there,there will be impacts resulting from said theatre.
Censorship of art is such a fascinating topic to me. Here in the states our rights to produce art that speaks out against the government is a protected right. I can chose to make a piece of art that says how shit of a president Trump is and I will not be fearing of being imprisoned, that’s just not a thought that crosses my mind. But in other courtiers it is something that they have to think about. It takes more courage to be politically outspoken in others regardless of weather that expression is through art. In other countries they have more skin in the game, literally, with the publication of their political art. That’s why this exhibit and these artists are so inspiring. They take actual risks with their art. Its not just their reputation, or negative feedback that’s on the line when they make political art like it is in the United Stated, but it is their actual life.
I remember vaguely hearing about Pussy Riot’s story before, which was one of the first insights I had seen into Russian art activism. I feel like in our generation we have been very closed minded and ignorant to what has been going on in Eastern Europe, because in our history classes we are told they are not communist anymore so we assume that a similar lifestyle exists there that is similar to our Americanized life, which is so far from true. Whereas we in America have the freedom to speak out and create art reflecting on the injustices of Donald Trump’s campaign and presidency, Russian citizens will be hunted down and imprisoned for even considering to do the same. Pussy Riot was incredibly unique in many ways, because of how well known they are, how public their persecution was, and how they are being increasingly heard about worldwide, but possibly one of the best things they did was inspire other Russian artists to keep on speaking out, keep on producing work, and to create change with their art without living in fear of what might happen.
Pussy Riot has some of the most interesting and powerful political artwork that I have seen. I have seen their videos around the internet, but this is the first article that I have read to really understand more about who they are. It is so interesting how they encourage their audience to reflect on collective protest and use this exhibition to prove the power of harnessing all of that energy. I love their message of non-complacency in our political systems and how important it is that we cannot be passive towards a system that is unjust and doesn’t work to aid its people. Mary Emily made a really interesting point about how in the US we aren’t taught about the differences between our systems and some that exist in places like Russia. It is so important that we are aware of political challenges throughout the world because of the message that Pussy Riot is spreading about harnessing our passions to fight for a world that we want to live in.
Pussy Riot is such a brave band. Protesting injustice always takes bravery and courage no matter the country, but to do it in a country like Russia is on another level. Given what a repressive dictator Vladimir Putin is, they should be applauded for taking a stand for LGBT rights. They are an inspiration to all artists and art groups about the power that they can have by taking a stand for political issues that they believe in. Pussy Riot would have been an unknown punk rock group in the Western world, but because they took a stand they have become known globally. Hopefully other artists can be inspired to take a stand for what they believe in.
Post a Comment