Pussy Riot conviction

Pussy Riot conviction August 18, 2012

So three members of the Russian feminist band Pussy Riot have been convicted to two years in prison for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred”. They got up in the front of a Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow and played one of their songs… a prayer to Mother Mary to get rid of Putin. Their stint on stage lasted about 41 seconds when they were taken away by security. They were protesting not only Putin but the Orthodox Church’s unquestioning and traditional support of him and whoever is in power. You can read about the verdict here.

I love and admire these women. They are courageous artists. They are graffiti artists on the walls of religion too. But their graffiti is more dangerous since it involves those in political power as well. For a very interesting analysis of the cultural implications of Pussy Riot in Russia, read this.

I’ve been asked by supporters of Pussy Riot if I can contribute some of my art to the movement. I immediately thought of my Sophia series. Don’t you think so?


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