Themester

Protest can play a powerful role in shedding light on injustice and preserving truth in times of oppression. On November 13 at 7:00 p.m., Themester welcomes Nadya Tolokonnikova, founding member of the feminist art collective Pussy Riot, to discuss truth, art, and activism.  

A historic performance

In 2011, Tolokonnikova co-founded Pussy Riot in Moscow, Russia. Later that year, Russia held parliamentary elections and volunteer election observers recorded evidence of voter fraud. “It became very clear that Putin's party, United Russia, had lost its majority in the parliament,” said Dr. Regina Smyth, IU Professor of Political Science. Despite this, United Russia was declared the winner.  

In the wake of the fraudulent election, Russians mobilized to the streets and protested. “During the period of that protest, Pussy Riot began to perform its songs in public and their mode of performance was to guerilla set up and videotape their performance,” said Smyth. “Then, they put it online. Their performances were meant for online views.”  

Pussy Riot performed across the street from the prison that held Putin opposition leaders and in the Red Square across from the Kremlin. The penultimate protest was at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.  

“The Cathedral was a building that was as much political as it was religious,” said Smyth. “Part of what Pussy Riot was protesting was the complicity of the church in support of Putin.” 

The collective performed on the Cathedral's altar, a space where women are forbidden. Members of the collective, including Tolokonnikova, were arrested on charges of “hooliganism” and sentenced to several years in prison. According to Smyth, the Kremlin strategically used Pussy Riot to make protests appear radical instead of a demand for human rights.  

Since protesting at the Cathedral and serving prison time, Pussy Riot continues to create protest art. This past year, Tolokonnikova released the performance piece, “Putin's Ashes.” In response, the Kremlin placed her on Russia's Most Wanted Criminals List.  

Nadya Tolokonnikova at the BCT 

The event includes an interview-style conversation with Dr. Maria Bucur, an audience Q & A session, and a DJ set performed by Tolokonnikova. “The event will hopefully be a really good time, but also a good chance to collectively explore issues of light and truth as they relate to geopolitics, art, and protest,” said Joelle Jackson, IU senior and Themester advisory committee member. 

Pussy Riot: Light and Truth is on Monday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Buskirk Chumley Theater, 114 E Kirkwood Ave. The event is free, but tickets are required. It is sponsored by Themester 2023 and the Robert F. Byrnes Russian Russian and East European Institute.