Balaclava image, Free Pussy Riot Reading, Ace Hotel, New York
Photograph by Mark Kendall, 2012

On August 15th, 2012, a reading occurred in New York at the Ace Hotel in support of an all female performance group based and formed in Russia, called Pussy Riot. The group of women, ranging in age from early 20’s through early 30’s do physical and musical performances with a nod to the stylistic gesture of the Riot Grrrls and the political spontaneity of the Guerrilla Girls. In early March, three members of group were arrested in Moscow for doing an impromptu performance at Christ the Savior Cathedral which occurred in February. A  Russian Orthodox church in the middle of Mass, the group stormed into a congregation and sang a song (or rather performed a prayer) calling upon the Virgin Mary to “put Putin away” and join them as a feminist, equating the Church’s following Putin and putting him ahead of God. Days later after the performance circulated on youtube, three of the four were arrested and have been in jail ever since, in uncomfortable circumstances. The women released statements, powerfully expressing the inhumane treatment they’ve received from the police and in turn the resulting texts (along with poems and song lyrics) were read by such celebrity supporters as Chloe Sevigny, Karen Finley, K8 Hardy, and Mx. Justin Vivian Bond, amongst others in New York.

Chloe Sevigny, Free Pussy Riot Reading, Ace Hotel, New York
Photograph by Mark Kendall, 2012

At the Ace Hotel, the readers who took part in the event are known within the contemporary art and pop culture communities, and individually recited the words of unmasked and imprisoned Pussy Riot members Katja Samutsevich, Nadia Tolokonnikova & Masha Alyekhina. Pussy Riot, established in Moscow in 2011 is made up of about fifteen to twenty women who all choose to remain anonymous. They were bright, candy colored clothing and knit balaclavas. The visual effect of their performances is not meant to be threatening but rather an art rock concert using the power of vocalization combined with physical action to allow for public discourse. However, the context and choice of location is what has caused the trio to have been detained and put on trial. The plight of the the three has gained global attention via Facebook, Twitter, and other websites. Beyond the selection of women who spoke at the Ace Hotel (organized by JD Samson of Le Tigre and MEN fame), Pussy Riot has the support of Bjork and Madonna as well.

Unfortunately, they were found guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred and sentenced to two years in jail on August 17th.  A Facebook page was set up by Amnesty International and protest marches were held in over twenty cities around the globe in support of the group. Arrests were made in New York and other places where hundreds of protesters joined forces, sometimes donning colorful Balaclava, sustaining a visual aesthetic that has been reinforced in creating an identifiable look for the members of Pussy Riot while also lending to their anonymity.

K8 Hardy, Free Pussy Riot Reading, Ace Hotel, New York
Photograph by Mark Kendall, 2012

Artist K8 Hardy emphatically read text from the member statements while revealing a new look herself,  über curly hair divided by a central part, half blond and half auburn. She subtly rocked back and forth at the podium and growled out the words “Riot calls for the system’s abortion.” and “Revolt in Russia, the charisma of protest. Revolt in Russia pissed on by Putin, Revolt in Russia we exist, Revolt in Russia Riot! Riot!… Discontent with the culture of male hysteria.” from the song “Putin Zassal” (translated as Putin got Scared).

From Pussy Riot Manuscript:

“…Therefore, we have introduced a new element in our performance — a prayer — and called our punk public prayer “Virgin Mary, Drive Putin Away.” Here, we respond to the political activity of the faithful, and counter the patriarch Gundyayʼs efforts to distort the truth on behalf of all believers.And we needed to sing it at the altar, not on the street in front of the temple — that is, in a place where women are strictly forbidden. The fact is, the Church is promoting a very conservative worldview that does not fit into such values as freedom of choice, the formation of political identity, gender identity, or sexual identity, critical thinking, multiculturalism, or attention to contemporary culture. It seems to us that the Orthodox Church currently lacks all of these virtues.” (Note: Gundyay is the secular name of the church Patriarch Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyayev).

While this form of injustice against performers, artists and women is occurring all over the globe, the trial and case against Pussy Riot has struck a particular nerve within the media, human rights groups, and those with political leanings towards the left.  In Russia it is forbidden to perform, intrude upon or protest in the context and environment of the Orthodox Church. They still have quite an influence within the political realm and in the one day following the verdict have since offered a statement saying that they forgive Pussy Riot, but are happy with the outcome of the trial and sentencing. Thinking about the purposeful sacrifice that the women made regarding their performance and the resulting arrest reflects a purposeful characteristic not unlike many of the Catholic saints who were martyred for their own religious leanings. The guilty verdict is a comment on a situation that has been going on for years and escalating. It is the visible result of dissatisfaction and happens in a multitude of cultural situations, involves religion, women’s rights, animal rights, freedom of speech, defiance of racism, and war. When humans are pushed to their limits whether it be personal or collective, action must result. In the case of Pussy Riot, they have used collective energies to harness issues they feel are demeaning and vocally and visually assert (or insert) their bodies into a situation pushing against the grain of a system that has been in place for centuries. Through the filter of art a political performance, ruffled feathers that appear unable to be smoothed. Visually they present themselves in a way that is aesthetically appealing, especially within the art community and donning their costumes they could be perceived as contemporary art bandits or anarchist superheroes. They have used their intelligence and succeeded in igniting a spark that hopefully will continue to spread and result in some change versus only acknowledgement, not only in Russia but remind us of human rights issues on a global level. A lone spark in the night is better than pacifism, however three lives will be stifled for two years, away from their families and friends. All for an ancient story, speaking up at a time when certain political, religious and old world structures are still heavily in place and not interested in noticing a crack in the foundation, even if loudly dressed in red, yellow and lime green masks.

Crowd view, Free Pussy Riot Reading, Ace Hotel, New York
Photograph by Mark Kendall, 2012

From March 29th, 2012: Letter from Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, one of the arrested women

“Who knows, perhaps the inclusion of human rights and liberties as priorities in the politics of the West in the 20th century is also another sign of the approach of the era of liberty and creativity, as well as the Pussy Riot concert. Berdyaev taught that creativity is the structural moment of the age of liberty. Love will transform itself into liberty and with it the world will change. It is already in motion.” 

The Free Pussy Riot Reading (now on youtube) was co-sponsored by Amnesty International & Breslin Bar and Dining Room presents Liberty Hall at Ace Hotel Produced by JD Samson, Robert Lieber and freepussyriot.org

More soon!
xo