I predict a Riot! One week from today, celebrate the opening of Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia, a survey exhibition of the feminist art collective, at The Polygon Gallery from March 22–June 2, 2024.
Drawing from more than a decade of activism, the show features documentation of Pussy Riot’s actions as assembled by member Maria Alyokhina.
“This exhibition highlights Pussy Riot’s courageous spirit and tenacious advocacy of human rights, while offering a graphic narrative about Russia’s recent history,” says Reid Shier, director of The Polygon Gallery. “Pussy Riot’s international impact has been growing since they performed in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in 2012, and the survey demonstrates the urgent relevance of their activism, particularly as they raise awareness about the war in Ukraine — which has now been waged for close to two years.”
Pussy Riot is a protest and performance art collective that produces provocative and politically engaged performances, music, and videos. Formed in Moscow in 2011, the group has become an iconic symbol of opposition against Vladimir Putin’s Russia. The collective has received the LennonOno Grant for Peace in 2012, the Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thought in 2014, and, most recently, the Woody Guthrie Award in 2023, which recognizes the spirit of resistance through music, literature, dance, or other forms of art.
Through videos, photographs, testimonies, song lyrics, and reflections, the exhibition offers a rich account of Pussy Riot’s non-violent actions as well as the reactions of the Russian authorities. Through their work over the years, Pussy Riot has transformed the repressive apparatus of an authoritarian state into a creative partner, boldly playing with fire.
Everyone is welcome to RSVP to the Velvet Terrorism Opening Celebration, March 21 at 6pm and then join Pussy Riot members Maria Alyokhina, Olga Borisova, Diana Burkot, and Nadya Tolokonnikova in conversation with Velvet Terrorism curators Ragnar Kjartansson and Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir at The Pipe Shop at 7pm.
Pussy Riot also perform the award-winning RIOT DAYS in downtown Vancouver on March 22 at The Pearl, 881 Granville St. Performed around the world, the work is based on Alyokhina’s memoir of the same name, combines music, theatre, and political action.
Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia was originally presented at Kling & Bang (Reykjavik). Created by Maria Alyokhina and curated with Ragnar Kjartansson and Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir, the exhibition comes to The Polygon Gallery from showings at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark and the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.
Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia, is on display from March 22–June 2, 2024, at The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver find more at thepolygon.ca