Oakton Community College Women and Creativity Discussion

In our discussion this week we explore the phenomenon known as Pussy Riot! Our focus will be the documentary (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tH4hjg83Mt8&feature=emb_logo )Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer that introduces us to the activism of this particular group and in particular, the performance in Christ the Savior Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow. Please read through the prompts below carefully, and then post your comments. Remember the following ground rules for the discussion:

• Post ONE comment in response to the prompts below. Each comment should be at least ONE paragraph (5-6 sentenaces)
• PROMPT:

  1. How do you understand and explain the phenomenon that is Pussy Riot? Is Pussy Riot a feminist punk band, an art collective, a group of political activists, a movement, or perhaps all of these? Use any of the materials you have recently read or watched relating to Pussy Riot to support your discussion

• 2. How do you understand and explain Pussy Riot’s performance in Christ the Savior’s Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow on February 21, 2012. Those who were in the Cathedral and witnessed the event, consider Pussy Riot’s performance a matter of blasphemy; the young women who were arrested, were charged with felony hooliganism motivated by religious hatred; the Pussy Riot performers themselves insisted that they were in the Cathedral to offer a prayer to the Virgin Mary. Should these members of Pussy Riot have been arrested for their activities in Christ the Savior Cathedral? Was their performance really a criminal act? Should they have been found guilty of “felony hooliganism” and sentenced to two years in prison? Was this a hate crime (i.e. hatred of religion), or was it blasphemy? Discuss, using the documentary and other relevant materials posted on D2L to support your interpretation of the event.
• 3. In their spontaneous guerilla performances in Moscow, members of Pussy Riot were simple brightly colored dresses, balaclavas, stockings and boots. What is the significance of Pussy Riot’s choice of costume for their performances? Nadya Tolokonnikova speaks of the “holy foolishness of punk” and refers to members of Pussy Riot as “holy fools” or “jesters.” How does this relate to the group’s choice of costume for their activities and to their actual performances?
• 4. Do you have any further insights, thoughts, ideas, questions or confusions about Pussy Riot and their performances that you would like to share with other class members here on the discussion board?