Comment Putin and Pussy Riot Catherine Schuler

Reinventing the Show Trial Comment Putin and Pussy Riot Catherine Schuler

At 9:00 am on 17 August 2012 I arrived at the Khamovnicheskii District Court in Moscow, where three members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot were to be sentenced for “criminal hooliganism.” Although my hotel was within reasonable walking distance of the courthouse, I was unable to find it (even using Google Maps) until a growing police presence led me to the site. The geographical puzzle is surely deliberate: located on an obscure cross street in a seem- ingly upmarket residential neighborhood, the courthouse is visually unexceptional, easily barri- caded, and difficult for an uninitiated visitor to discover. I went to the sentencing knowing that I had little chance of being admitted into the actual courtroom where Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (age 22), Maria Alekhina (24), and Ekaterina Samutsevich (30) would sit handcuffed in the infamous glass cage. Thanks to the media circus

Figure 1. Pussy Riot rehearses at an art studio on the outskirts of Moscow, 16 January 2012. (Photo by Anna Artemeva)

Catherine Schuler, Associate Professor of Women’s Studies at the University of Maryland, is the immediate past editor of Theatre Journal. She is the author of Women in Russian Theatre: The Actress in the Silver Age (Routledge, 1996), which won the Barnard Hewitt Prize from the American Society

for Theatre Research, and Theatre and Identity in Imperial Russia (University of Iowa Press, 2009). Comment Currently she is working on a study of Vladimir Putin and the performance of politics in post-socialist Russia. [email protected]

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8 Catherine Schuler than pressaccountssuggest. Idon’tknowwhetherPutin andthePatriarchconspiredwith Russian churchandstateisconsiderablymorecomplicated, troubling, andpeculiarlyRussian forward movementcausedwaryPussyRiotsupporterstoskitter back? pornography signs? Why thedetachmentsofhusky, heavilyarmedmalemilitiawhoseevery gathered hereofblasphemyandhatecrimes? Why the stringquartetsurroundedbyanti- spicuous absenceofinternationalhumanrightsorganizations. and change, wonderingabouttheconspicuouspresenceofheavilyarmedriotpoliceandcon- there wastocomewouldn’thappenforseveralhours, soIhungout, watchingthecrowdgrow the turnouthere, dampenexpressionsofprotest, andrestrainspontaneity. Whatever excitement 3:00. HealsosuggestedthatviolenceandarrestsatrecentFreePussyRioteventsmightlower number ofpeoplethatmorning:theformalreadingsentencewouldnothappenuntil political, religious, orartisticactivists. The Journal reporterexplainedthereasonforsmall the sideshow. could notreachthecenterring, IarrivedattheKhamovnicheskiiDistrictCourthopingtosee near oneofthebarricadescouldn’tgetintobuilding. Armed withtheforeknowledgethatI packed thecourtroom;bydayofsentencing, eventheWall Street Journal reporterImet ists hadbecomeinternationalcelebrities. Duringthetrial, politicalactivistsandjournalists surrounding theirtrial, by17 August theseonceanonymousfeministpunkperformanceart-

on giving. Duma considersstrengtheningliabilityforinsultingreligiousfeelings. Vlad the PussyRiotsentencewastooharsh(perhapsapreludetoPutinpardon);thisweekPutin’s cranes ontheirmigrationroute;lastweekPrimeMinisterDmitriiMedvedevsaidthatmaybe has becomepredictablyunpredictable:twoweeksagohesuiteduptoleadorphanedSiberian been retrofittedforPutin-esqueneoliberalpost-socialism. AsIwriteinSeptember2012, Putin pened andIwasremindedthatifmuchinRussiahaschanged, muchhasalsostayedthesame, or astonished meovertheyears, Ithoughthadfinallybecomedesensitized. ThenPussyRiothap- back andforthtoRussia, andalthoughmanypeopleeventsinthatunsettledplacehave tionship developingbetweenhimandOrthodoxPatriarchKirill? political performanceexpressingtheiroppositiontoPutinand theominouslyintimaterela- heavy armorandpatriarchalrageforthreeyoungwomenwhostageda40-second, nonviolent string quartet. Orthodox girlssinginghymnsandholdinghand-printedplacards;priests;a performers Isawthere:menacing, black-clothedRussianOrthodoxskinheads;demure balloons floatingingroupsofthree;andafewangryplacards. ButIdidnotanticipatetheother and womenalike);avarietyofnewlyprintedFreePussyRiot T-shirts; colored, face-painted did notdisappoint, showingupwithbrightlycoloreddressesandbalaclava(wornbyyoungmen indeed, IassumedthatthepoliceandPussyRiotsupporterswere 3. 2. 1. After thesentencing, Istarteddigginganddiscoveredthat thecaseofPussyRiotv. the When Ireachedthecourthouse, Ifoundtelevisioncrewssettingup, butsurprisinglyfew for Putin. Kirill has called Putin’s regime a “miracle of God,” and during the elections last spring he urged believers to vote this writing, the other two women remain the full two-year in prison and sentence. will serve Although not acquitted of the alleged crime, Samutsevich was released in October on a suspended sentence. As of Amnesty responded. on their website the following day. I questioned their absence, timing, and pricing in an email, but no one from Including Amnesty International, which was not present at the event, but offered $29.00 Free Pussy Riot T-shirts I amnotnaiveabout Vladimir Putinor “Putin’s Russia.” Since1992, Ihavebeen As Iwatched, themoreamazedanddismayedIbecame. Why theoverkill? Why allofthis Although thepolicepresenceatPussyRiottrialwasunsettling, Ihadanticipatedit; 2

1 3 Why thetalkamongpeople thecircus. PRsupporters — the gift that keeps the giftthatkeeps traveling traveling Comment 9 all of — is assigned by birthright. We’re is assigned by birthright. We’re — including LGBT. We’re against a system where a We’re including LGBT. — the group doesn’t have a constant structure. All you have have a constant structure. All you the group doesn’t Translated by Catherine Schuler by Catherine Translated — What Does It Mean to Be Pussy Riot? It Mean to Be Pussy What Does you organize your own personal rebellion. you organize your own

— beyond the borders of which you cannot go beyond the borders of which you cannot Novaia gazeta, 20 August 2012. www.novayagazeta.ru/society/54023.html

— the attention is on the songs. The artist isn’t the object, his individuality should not the object, songs. The artist isn’t the attention is on the itself. overshadow the creation for this. Katia, and Nadia paid a huge price Still...Masha, an honor. It’s The idea of anonymity, every person, every girl can be Pussy Riot. The very idea is that of mutual interchangeability permission. ask anyone’s don’t Riot is to wear a balaclava. You to do to become Pussy store, you go to the theatre in a the balaclava, at work, in the office, in a put on You balaclava there are prestigious, but dangerous. Now, But before the wave of support, it wasn’t Pussy Riots all over the world. How have you been living these last 5 months? there are more of us, several tens. Songs are At first, after the arrest, it was quiet. Now group lives. being written. Rehearsals are going on. The understand that at any moment something I was in the Cathedral. And I now live and know everything is calm, but they can call or come for you. I can’t like can happen. It’s things are very tense. But the real shock, of precisely what they know about me. Naturally, Sunday (proshchenoe voskresen’e) — and course, was when you wake up on Forgiveness they’ve instituted criminal proceedings... What struck you most in the process? let Insanely cruel. How easily they say: Well, I discovered how cruel some people are. them sit there for a year. So, you can girls danced there naked. On the altar. many really believe that the Yes, without verifying anything or even watching condemn them and wish for prison or death, the video. A complete information deficit. What do you want to say to these people? we want to say. Listen to our songs. They say everything equal we support oppose inequality, equals, they have a voice. We are men’s Women rights for absolutely all citizens place against the old world, we’re for the new world. It must become better. Independent of sex, race, sexual orientation, religious preference, each person should find a place. Putin is the real embodiment of sexism. And women should stop working for this sexist world. eat ice cream until mama You can’t society is in the role of a five-year old child. Today, can eat ice cream. It’s just to 15. You time to grow a little, even if it’s permits it. It’s We possible to respect your parents without listening to absolutely everything they say. all need to grow up. The following interview excerpts with participants of the group Pussy Riot on the eve of the group Pussy Riot with participants of interview excerpts The following to be Pussy “What does it mean sentencing are from of their friends’ the announcement Riot,” be Pussy Riot? What does it mean to perform anonymously individuals, we’re women in masks. We not We’re Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/DRAM_e_00230 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/DRAM_e_00230 by guest on 26September 2021 10 Catherine Schuler 17 August 2012. (Photo by Anna Artemeva) before the announcement of the verdict at Moscow’s Khamovnicheskii Court, Figure 2. Ekaterina Samutsevich, Maria Alekhina, and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova ful, short-skirteddresses, pulledbalaclavasovertheirfaces, crossedthroughthegateseparating sanctuary, theydumpedtheirbackpacksinapile, strippedofftheirouterweartorevealcolor 2012, fivewomenenteredtheChristSaviorCathedralinMoscow. Shortlyafterenteringthe ics “blasphemy,” “pornography,” anda “hate crime.” At approximately11:00amon21February case, IofferabriefsummaryoftheactioncalledbyPussyRiot “political art” andbytheircrit- they are about to be hauled off and arrested. (Photo by Ekaterina Fomina) Figure 3. Pussy Riot’s at Moscow’s performance Cathedral of Christ the Savior, 21 February 2012, just as Prigovor tencing ofPussyRiot. around thearrest, trial, andsen- and questionsthathavearisen try toclarifysomeoftheclamor Russian Federation. Icanonly Constitution shouldapplyinthe the firstamendmenttoUS Pussy Riotmakesartorwhether nesses. Idon’tknowwhether tion lawyerscoachedtheirwit- 2012 orwhetherprosecu- actually saidon21February I don’tknowwhatPussyRiot tence thatisabsurdonitsface. Judge MarinaSyrovaonasen- alleged crimeattheheartofthis For readersunfamiliarwiththe - Comment 11 - and a revelatory document and a revelatory document — Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, and Ekaterina Alekhina, Maria Tolokonnikova, Nadezhda It took Judge Marina Syrova 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 38 and 38 41 minutes, Syrova 2 hours, It took Judge Marina Figure 4. The now-iconic Pussy Riot balloons float outside the the outside float balloons Riot Pussy now-iconic The 4. Figure by (Photo 2012. Court,District August 17 Khamovnicheskii Schuler) Catherine 4 — - can be accessed at www.snob.ru/selected/entry/51999. Unless otherwise all indicated, Unless www.snob.ru/selected/entry/51999. at be accessed can prigovor spent five months in jail before coming to trial in July 2012. The court quickly jail before coming to trial in July 2012. spent five months in — - 26 pages for the pros

—

The full text of the of text full The own. my are translations ) was available online within 72 hours ) was available online The sentence (prigovor Partly improbable accusation, Partly improbable accusation, The trial was never really about the facts of the 21 February action because Pussy Riot The trial was never really about the facts of the 21 February action because Pussy 4.

Samutsevich the nave from the iconostasis and altar, plugged in an amplifier for an electric guitar, and began guitar, for an electric plugged in an amplifier altar, the iconostasis and the nave from Riot claim that Members of Pussy about the lyrics. disagree Witnesses dance wildly. to sing and what exactly witnesses don’t know out Putin”; prosecution drive “Holy Mother, they said only than a After less and the Orthodox Church. women cursed God but they’re sure the was said, the them away from dragged to the women, parishioners rushed church employees and minute, were arrested while three Later, of the church. iconostasis and out in front of the “stage” raised arrested women The two escaped. years of confinement in a sentencing them to two additional convicted them of hooliganism, camp. medium security labor seconds to read more than 70 pages of text aloud in the courtroom. The first 14 pages state the than 70 pages of text aloud in the courtroom. seconds to read more Cathedral; witness testimony the details of the Pussy Riot action in the charges and rehearse follows ing the commission of the crime. The sentence appears at the very end of the document. and partly partly fantastic logic, the prigovor must be con- fact, sidered in light of the charges on which the women were con- conceived A criminal offense including the commission of a hate crime. victed: hooliganism, covers “hooliganism” opposition to church and state, period to discourage Tsarist in the late The Russian legal code identifies two (Kruhly 2012). a wide spectrum of actions and behavior as disor Petty hooliganism is to citizens of the Russian Federation types: petty and criminal. ecution and 2 for the defense; ecution and 2 for the evi- a summary of material dence found during searches apartment of Tolokonnikova’s occupies 6 pages; following this, the document describes the sig- nificance of the Cathedral as a place of worship and church business and the psychologi- cal state of the defendants dur derly conduct is to citizens of the United States. Pussy Riot was convicted of criminal hooligan- Pussy Riot was convicted of criminal States. derly conduct is to citizens of the United using weapons or accomplished a crime characterized by flagrant violation of public order, ism, or ide- political, national, racial, motivated by religious, and allegedly objects used as weapons, The author(s) of the prigovor endeavored to ological hatred toward a particular social group. crime against prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Pussy Riot committed a premeditated hate the Russian Orthodox faith and more generally against the entire Christian world. the state) (i.e., The prosecution The trial was about motive and affect. largely admitted to them. political or described Pussy Riot’s actions in laborious detail in order to show that they weren’t hatred for Orthodox believers and caused severe emo- but were motivated by just a punk prank, the church on tional and moral damage to the Cathedral employees and parishioners present in it is, especially for a feminist reader. especially for it is, Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/DRAM_e_00230 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/DRAM_e_00230 by guest on 26September 2021

12 Catherine Schuler of theirallegedlyalteredstate. were notintheirrightmindsatthetimeofincident, thedefensecitedpsychiatricevidence tified for Tolokonnikova (apointtowhichIwillreturn). Endeavoringtoshowthatthewomen dent. Two morecharacterwitnessestestifiedonSamutsevichand Alekhina’sbehalf. Noonetes- was astudent, testifiedasacharacterwitnessthat Alekhinawasagoodgirlandanexcellentstu- state. The seconddefensewitness, anadministratoratthejournalisminstitutewhere Alekhina compare PussyRiot’sactiontothepre-Tsarist skomorokhii, civilization; feminismwasfor Westerners, notforRussians. Tolokonnikova’s banefulfeministinfluence. Feminism, heargued, wasantitheticaltoRussian ness, Samutsevich’sfather, claimedthathisdaughterwasagoodgirluntilshefellunder Pussy Riotneverhadachanceofacquittal. The defensedidn’tofferadefense. Their firstwit- pure, premeditated, maliciousblasphemy(koshchunstvo ). heard norsawanythingpoliticalinPussyRiot’smusic, words, andgestures. This was, they said, women hadviolatedasacredspacereservedexclusivelyformen. All claimedthattheyneither remove themfromthespace. Severalprosecutionwitnesseswereparticularlydismayedthat singing, andchanting;cursingGod;turningtheirbackstothealtar;resistingallefforts tion: wearingimmodestclothingastheydefiledasacredspacewiththeirblasphemousdancing, net. According totheprosecution, PussyRiotviolatedeveryinviolableOrthodoxruleandtradi- 21 February, andtoeveryChristianofnationalitywhosawtheclippostedoninter

guerilla performancesand YouTube videosoftenare. video rebutstheirassertionofblasphemy. Nodoubt PussyRiot’sartwasrough, butsite- Witnesses disagreeaboutwhatexactlythewomenchantedinchurchpartbecause on YouTube: through editingandoverdubbing, theycreatedandpostedaworkofvideoart. files discoveredattheapartmentalsoindicatethatPussyRiot didn’tpostrawvideofootage this languageoftheatreandperformancetodescribethepreparation fortheaction. Computer tion ofroles, andrehearsalinadvanceoftheperformance. Indeed, itistheprigovorthatuses shared by Tolokonnikova andherhusbandrevealedevidenceofsubstantial planning, distribu- nal intentcouldjustaseasilydemonstrateartisticandprocess. A searchoftheapartment explicitly, PussyRiot’scriticsagreedthatnoarthadhappenedatChristtheSaviorCathedral. the courthouseon17 August wastheonlyothersignofartasanissueintrial. Implicitlyor her opinion. Armed withplacardsdecrying “pornography,” thestringquartetplayingoutside gious hatred. Art isneveragainmentionedinthedocumentandSyrovadoesnotrefertoit tity asajournalismstudentmightalsohavebeenintendedtoestablishmotivesotherthanreli- who studiedphotographyandhasanavantgardesensibilityaesthetic. Samutsevich’siden- through art.” Laterinthedocument, adefensewitnesscallsthecourt’sattentionto Alekhina, dling herthumbs” asPutincorruptedtheelectionprocess, shechoseto “express herposition Russia intheformofphilosophicalresearchandart. Ratherthansitonthesidelines “twid- Tolokonnikova, apparentlythemostarticulateofthree, statesthatshehasmuchtooffer vated byreligioushatred:theirobjectivewastomakeapoliticalstatementinartisticform. twice intheprigovor. Inthesummaryintroduction, thewomenarguethattheywerenotmoti- after 1992. The judgedismissedallofthedefense’sevidence. importance oftheChristSaviorCathedral, abuildingdestroyedbytheSovietsandrebuilt 7. 6. 5. If theprigovorreflectsdefense’sargumentsaccurately, ImusttellTDRreadersthat And yetitdid. Muchoftheevidenceusedbyprosecution toprovepremeditatedcrimi- Comments indicatingthatthewomenweremakingexpressive, avantgardeartappearonly Ironically, thestate conducted the psychiatric examinations. The medieval “skomorokh” wasakindofproto-professional actor, comparable,perhaps,tothe European jongleur. not have motivated Pussy Riot’s actions. guarantees equality, makes feminism irrelevant. By her reasoning, women are already equal, thus feminism could Syrova later acknowledges that feminism isn’t illegal, but argues that the Russian Federation’s constitution, which 7 Finally, thedefensearguedthatprosecutionexaggerated 6 5 whoregularlymockedchurchand Hismostsupportivegesturewasto specific - Comment 13 - continued continued TDR Second, Second, 9 1991.) TDR Figure 5. A string quartet plays outside the Khamovnicheskii District Court, District quartetstring A 5. Khamovnicheskii the outside plays Figure the surrounding protesters Riot anti-Pussy the by held Placards 2012. 17 August by (Photo Morality.” for “Coalition and art” not pornography, is “this quartetread: Schuler) Catherine published a special NEA supplement in its Fall 1991 issue. 1991 Fall its in supplement NEA special a published TDR coverage of the NEA Four was extensive: in addition to a series of editorials by by editorials of series a to addition in extensive: was Four NEA the of coverage TDR Although Tolokonnikova has consistently claimed an artistic identity Tolokonnikova Although

10 At the 8

More than 20 years have passed since the NEA defunded four American performance artists, artists, American performance NEA defunded four More than 20 years have passed since the to cover the NEA Four through 1996. (See Phelan 1990; Schechner 1990; Schechner 1990; Phelan (See 1996. through Four NEA the cover to Several witnesses claim that Tolokonnikova seemed to be in charge of the action. the of charge in be to seemed Tolokonnikova that claim witnesses Several mem- were Samutsevich and Verzilov, Tolokonnikova, art group. street provocative a is Voina 2006, in Founded 2009. until bers received Finley, Karen and Miller, Tim Fleck, John Hughes, performancesAmerican four 1990, artists, Holly In John NEA, of the chair the conservative congressmen, and pundits from pressure to Yielding grants. NEA Court, which artiststhe Supreme and the ensued to lawsuit way A the them. all defunded won then Frohnmayer, ruled1996. in them against 1990–91, in Schechner Richard Reasons for singling out Tolokonnikova are not hard to locate. First, her husband, Petr her husband, First, are not hard to locate. Tolokonnikova Reasons for singling out 8. 9. Tolokonnikova and Verzilov are technically foreigners. Verzilov holds dual Canadian and Verzilov are technically foreigners. Verzilov and Tolokonnikova mak- the Canadian equivalent of a green card, has Tolokonnikova while Russian citizenship, special attention the prigovor pays “outside agitators”; not surprisingly, ing them easy targets as her conviction gives notice to Russian avantgard- If Canadian documents. Tolokonnikova’s to that the state will not tolerate further in particular Voina and Verzilov ists in general and to who Putin, it also reflects the selective xenophobia of Putin’s Russia. Pussy Riot–like actions, for welcomes global economic and cultural stages, is determined to act as an equal player on opera, conventional genres of cultural exchange: ballet, and certain tourism, eign investment, the arrest and conviction of Pussy Riot make clear that he But and so on. museum exhibitions, Verzilov. and Tolokonnikova like does not embrace foreign political artist-operatives close as the US justice system has come in recent years to as perhaps, but that shameful case is, whether one agreed or dis- One important difference is that, the Pussy Riot litigation in Russia. and prod- process, questions of artistic intention, agreed with the Supreme Court’s decision, uct remained central. end of the trial, she spoke for she end of the trial, she and because Pussy Riot, is an extraordinarily articulate her public speaker and writer, havestatements and interviews inbeen widely disseminated Even print and on the internet. state- before I read her final attracted Tolokonnikova ment, my attention because she seems to have been the sole defendant if the prigovor and, her identity as an artist, without a character witness or anyone to confirm been searched. only her apartment seems to have accurately reflects the police’s investigation, evidence cited in the prigovor. Those searches produced all of the material guerilla performance group. art, another action (war), Voina belonged to Verzilov, 10. Final Statement I’ve studied theThe more the more case, Pussy Riot become aboutcurious I’ve the Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, group’s apparent leader — or perhaps scapegoat. Tolokonnikova’s Tolokonnikova’s for Pussy Riot, during the trial, questions of art were largely absent. Even the press has paid questions of art were largely absent. during the trial, for Pussy Riot, Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/DRAM_e_00230 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/DRAM_e_00230 by guest on 26September 2021

14 Catherine Schuler 17 AugustDistrict Court, 2012. (Photo by Catherine Schuler) Figure 6. A Russian Orthodox priest outside the Khamovnicheskii ing moments, Tolokonnikova said: lives; PussyRiot’sartcoststhreeRiotperformerstheir freedom. Inoneofhermostmov- “students,” the “inheritors” ofhislegacy. The metaphorisclear:Oberiu’sartcostthepoetstheir inexplicable isourfriend” (in Tolokonnikova 2012). PussyRiot, shecontinues, are Vvedenskii’s the veryend.” Their leader, Aleskandr Vvedenskii, wrote: “we likewhatwecan’tunderstand, the and morepoignant. Shecallsthepoetsproudly “incomprehensible andinexplicablerightupto however, Tolokonnikova’s allusion totheOberiupoetsmayhavebeenbothmoreilluminating 12. 11. Oberiu poets, agroupofavantgardistspurgedbyStalinin1937. their mediumandhere Tolokonnikova citesPussyRiot’smodels:punkperformanceartandthe the RussianstateandOrthodoxChurchtodeprivecitizensoftheirrights. Art is of PussyRiot, sheargues, areunapologeticcriticsofapoliticallymotivatedcollusionbetween through acritiqueofRussia’s “disciplinary structures” (Tolokonnikova 2012). The members ophy, amorefluidtheology, andavantgardeart, Tolokonnikova appealstolistenersandreaders ing onanOrthodoxcross, didnothelptheircaseinternally). Relyingonthelanguageofphilos- a problematiccelebritywhosepublicadvocacyofPussyRiot, whichapparentlyincludedstomp- Dostoevsky, Montaigne, Socrates, Pythagoras, SaintStephen, andMadonna(formany Russians, the statementalludestoorcites, amongothers, Foucault, theOberiupoets, Solzhenitsyn, Pussy Riot’sself-identificationwithpunkrequiresnofurther explanation; Tolokonnikova: “We sought genuine sincerity and simplicity and found them in punk performance” (2012). and strategic. them during the trial. I speculate that the choice to omit references to Western cultural influences was deliberate ciations with the West (notice that even their name is in Roman rather than Cyrillic letters) were troublesome for abound in other documents by Pussy Riot. Their absence from the documentsurprised me, but Pussy Riot’s asso- Oddly, the document acknowledges neither Western punk nor feminism as influences, although such references cation, and(perhapsparadoxically)naiveté, church toPussyRiot’sart. the one-dimensionalresponseofstateand (issued on9 August) mayhelptoilluminate blasphemy. Tolokonnikova’s finalstatement except intentional, premeditated, malicious Riot’s intentionsandactionsasanything that the “victims” couldnotinterpretPussy cution testimonymakeonethingclear, itis tion andsentencing. If26pagesofprose- art clearlyplayedakeyroleintheirconvic- tic form, PussyRiot’spunkperformance although theprigovornevermentionsartis- know whatthewomenactuallysaid. Thus, tion witnessesacknowledgethattheydon’t tion ofpoliticalspeech;indeed, prosecu- as artists). This isnot, afterall, simplyaques- objected toPussyRiot’sself- (except bythestringquartet, whichclearly through artisticformgoeslargelyunnoticed the factthatwomenexpressedthemselves ardently supportfreedomofpoliticalspeech, sion. And althoughPussyRiot’schampions scant attentiontoquestionsofartisticexpres- Remarkable foritscomplexity, sophisti- 11

12 forRussians, characterization Comment 15 - The assertion of a hate crime is trans- 14 ) of Pussy Riot’s crime were deeply offended poterpevshie) of Pussy Riot’s crime were deeply offended 13 their hands are not clean. But among an exhausted, complacent majority that But among an exhausted, their hands are not clean. —

I look for answers in the history of Russian authoritarianism, where the concept of “law” is “law” of where the concept authoritarianism, I look for answers in the history of Russian I would don’t learn from their history. asks why Russians Tolokonnikova In her statement, Interestingly, the judge postponed Pussy Riot’s sentencing for almost two weeks, which is why I was able to see see to able was I why is which weeks, two almost for sentencing Riot’s Pussy postponed judge the Interestingly, precisely postponed Syrova whether wonder I statement, Tolokonnikova’s and sentence the both read Having it. dur- speak to allowed all, after not, were defendants The statement. the to directly respond to wanted she because Tolokonnikova. by made points several to respond to seems opinion Syrova’s and trial, the ing on event the seeing by again and event the witnessing by once damaged were victims prigovor the to According trau- secondarythe as were witnesses which by means prigovor the in internet the and YouTube Citing YouTube. the over control greater seeking been has state the election, March the Since implications. serious has matized defini- how chuckled about friend Russian A newfor used being “pornography.” is legislation cover the internet: agenda. Putin’s accommodate to broadened will be pornography of tions There is no doubt that Pussy Riot disturbed the peace, but did their action rise to the level but did their action rise the peace, There is no doubt that Pussy Riot disturbed The statement is simple and profoundly affective, and I wish the Pussy Riot case were so and I wish and profoundly affective, The statement is simple Who could have supposed that history, in particular the still recent history of Stalin’s the still recent in particular history, have supposed that Who could meth- looking at how you want to weep, be taught at all? It makes would not terror, in the Russian judicial systems reign over security and medieval inquisition ods of the - we could not weep any of our arrest From the moment which is our country. Federation, as we concerts, in despair at our punk to cry; we shouted have forgotten how we more, now they’ve but of bosses and of power, about the lawlessness as we knew how, could and (2012) stolen our voices. parently cynical: Russian Orthodox believers hardly fit the profile of an oppressed minority. hardly fit the profile of an oppressed minority. parently cynical: Russian Orthodox believers massive resources did the state devote real hate crimes, while turning its back on so many Why, to prosecuting three punk performance artists? It depends on Did Pussy Riot receive a fair trial? fluid and the legal system is easily corrupted. Did Putin and Kirill interfere in the legal pro- day. what laws were being made or enforced that cess? Probably will call Putin and who order more than justice, seems to want stability more than democracy, Kirill to account? of turn the question back on her and ask why Pussy Riot ignored two fundamental lessons Pussy Riot’s early performances took Russian history: heads will roll and artists are not exempt. mance was not only naive, but also doomed. but also doomed. mance was not only naive, seems so small in comparison with the if any, The group’s offense, hooliganism? “criminal” of used may That art was the only weapon today. rampant criminality and corruption in Russia So what harm was actually but the court refused to take the case in that direction. seem obvious, but how suffered severe moral and emotional trauma, done? Prosecutors claim that the victims unclear. these were manifested and measured remains clear-cut, but it’s not: if the prosecution distorted Pussy Riot’s intentions, actions, and words, and words, actions, Riot’s intentions, not: if the prosecution distorted Pussy but it’s clear-cut, Tolokonnikova’s state- them. have oversimplified the case against Pussy Riot and its supporters I embrace As an academic, and naïve. patronizing, touching, impressive, ment is simultaneously also understand that whether or not but I of Pussy Riot’s practice, the theoretical sophistication and parishioners present at the the church employees its witnesses, the prosecution coached could Tolokonnikova get it. not informed spectators and they didn’t 21 February action were art to prosecution wit- about disciplinary structures and avantgarde talk all day and all night but and cleaned icons in the church, lit lamps, who counted candlesticks, ness Solokogorskaia, Church has never been a progres- The Russian Orthodox Solokogorskaia still wouldn’t get it. revival has created a new crop of atavistic fundamental- sive institution and the recent Orthodox ( “victims” I have no doubt that the ists. intention to Tolokonnikova’s Seen thusly, of trauma. and may even have experienced some sort abstract genre of confrontational avantgarde perfor provoke useful dialogue through a highly 13. 14. 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16 Catherine Schuler and thebearbitoffgroup’shead. Russian flag, thecaptionreads, “Nebudi lar T-shirt capturesthePutinspirit:featuringaferociousbearagainstred, white, andblue Orthodox Church. Together, theymadeanexampleofthewomen. The messageonapopu- in theCathedralnotonlycrossedline, butalsogavePutinapowerfulally:theRussian If PutindidnotknowPussyRiotbeforethatevent, hesurelyknewofthemafter. The action place” justoutsidetheKremlin, provokedthepolicetodetaineightmembersofgroup. a heretofore-invisibleenvelope. EarlyinJanuary2012, anactiononLobnoemesto,a“sanctified place inmetrostationsandonthetopsofbuses 15. Standingon (see Masiuk tic: Putin’stoughguypersonaprecludesretreatandPussyRiot refusestoaskhimforapardon of religiousopposition. Likemanyothers, Ihope thatthestatewillyield, butIamnotoptimis- women (Reinand Wax Pussy Riot’sbehalf(Mosbergen2012); Aung SanSuuKyiexpresseshersupportforthejailed members ofFemen, aUkrainianfeministguerillaperformancegroup, baretheirbreastson streets ofMoscowlookingforblasphemers;PussyRiotcontinuestoinspireanti-Putinprotests; the look, butnotthesubstanceofpost-Soviet/post-socialistRussia. the eveningnews, IrepeatedlyaskedmyselfwhetherPutin’sachievementhasbeentochange why, whenIreturnedtomyhotelroom, IfeltonceagainlikeHeinlein’sstranger. As Iwatched Riot caseissoprofoundlytroubling:itbeliestheappearanceof(post)modernity. That issurely Moscow changedRussia’slook, Ibegantofeelmorecomfortablethere. That’s whythePussy corporate investment, publicrelationscampaigns, andvastrenovationinSt. Petersburgand Heinlein’s strangerinastrangeland, butinthefirstdecadeof21stcentury, aspost- shout thatPutinisathief?NotinPutin’sRussia. that IcanbuyaMercedesjustoffRedSquaremeanstandontopofLenin’stomband rights toapplyinacountrythathassolittleexperienceof, orinvestmentinthem?Doesthefact anced reportingmademeshiver Riot supporters, littleofthatcoveragereachedRussiantelevisionscreens. The absenceofbal- mendous supportforPussyRiotatthesceneandwitnessedmanyreportersinterviewing closest totheKremlin. Iwasnotoptimisticaboutwhatwouldsee. Although Ihadseentre- no televisionchannelisindependentandthemostwidelywatched, ChannelOne, isalsothe On 17 August Iwentbacktomyhotelwatchtelevisioncoverageofthesentencing. In2012, and I Was Silent First They Camefor Anna Politkovskaia anticipated theconsequences. Although theyhave beenlabeled “girls” (devochki Tolokonnikova’s knowledgeofpoliticalphilosophyandRussianhistory, shemustsurelyhave in aforbiddenareaofChristtheSaviorCathedralknewexactly whattheyweredoing. Given ately martyreditself. This eloquentdocumentshows thatthefivewomenwhodancedandsang from Tolokonnikova’s finalstatement, whichcausedmetowonderwhether PussyRiotdeliber Pussy Riotanditssupporters. Two questionsareparticularlytroubling. The firstemerged mance, soIunderstandthedynamicsofthatsidepretty well. Iamhonestlymorepuzzledby Fallout fromthetrial, conviction, andsentencingcontinues:Orthodoxvigilantespatrolthe When IfirststartedtravelingtotheRussianFederationin1992, IfeltlikeRobert A. (Kostiuchenko 2012). was a thief. According I read, to the article for Pussy random spectators shouted their support Riot’s position idea that is surely unpopular in the Kremlin (Polikovskii 2011). For severalyears, Ihavebeengatheringmaterialforastudy ofPutin’spoliticalperfor 2012). Lobnoe mesto Novaia also reported that gazeta Pussy Riot was threatening to tour provincial Russia, an 2012); andtheDumacreateslegislationtofurthersuppressexpressions — the Executioner’s Place — but whydoweliberalsstillexpect Western constitutional ”

— “Don’t wakeme!” PussyRiotdefiedthewarning — — the women shouted (among other things) that Putin and eveninsuchspacestheywerepushing

) bythepress, socialist - 15

- Comment 17

Figure 7. A Pussy Riot supporter outside the Khamovnicheskii supporterRiot Khamovnicheskii the outside Pussy A 7. Figure Schuler) Catherine by (Photo 2012. Court,District August 17 , 21 September:C1. , Post Washington “Suu Kyi’s Common Cause.” 2012. , , 17 August:3–5. gazeta Novaia Putina nas pomilovat’.” prosit’ “My ne budem 2012.

1 January. www.novayagazeta.ru/news/53456.html (22 August). (22 www.novayagazeta.ru/news/53456.html 1 January. www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/the-strange-history-of-russian-hooliganism /260255/ (28 August). www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/17/pussy-riot-trial August 2012. 17 Post, Huffington In Ukraine.” -femen_n_1798009.html (23 October). August 2012). (22 www.novayagazeta.ru/arts/50062.html (T128):7–10. 3 (T131):131–220. TDR 35, Wilmoth. Charles M. Linda Frye Burnham, Steven Durland, Hughes, http://station.ru/community/blogs/tolokonnikova/archive/2012/08/09/454134.aspx August 2012. 9 (14 September). My second question concerns Pussy Riot’sMy second question the In the best of all possible worlds, References , gazeta Novaia “Feministki-khuliganki dali kontsert na Lobnom meste.” 2012. Elena. Kostiuchenko, 24 July. The Atlantic, “The Strange History of Russian Hooliganism.” 2012. Madeleine. Kruhly, Elena. Masiuk, Activist Chainsaws Memorial Cross FEMEN Topless Trial: “Pussy Riot 2012. Dominique. Mosbergen, 1 (T125):4–15. TDR 34, Talks.’” ‘Money You: and the NEA, Mapplethorpe, “Serrano, 1990. Peggy. Phelan, 14 December. , gazeta Novaia “V Elektricheskikh kolgotakh i organzhevom ogne.” 2011. Aleksei. Polikovskii, . Wax and Emily Lisa, Rein, 34, 4 TDR 34, You.” and the NEA, Within, the Enemy “Political Realities, 1990. Richard. Schechner, Holly Fleck, John Miller, Tim Peggy Phelan, With “Offensive Plays.” Special section on 1991. TDR. Station.ru, Tolokonnikovoi.” “Polnyi tekst poslednego slova Nadezhdy 2012. Nadezhda. Tolokonnikova, supporters. I hope their outrage will mobilize I hope supporters. Putin-esque authori- effective opposition to Anna was the outrage for but where tarianism, Natal’ia Magnitskii, Sergei Politkovskaia, many others among the and so Estemirova, The Pussy Riot disappeared and murdered? familiar refrain: Firstcase reminds me of a Khordokhovskii andthey came for Mikhail Anna came for I said nothing; then they nothing; then theyPolitikovskaia and I said - came for Natal’ia Estemirova and I said noth anding; then they came for Sergei Magnitskii Finally they came for Pussy I said nothing. but it was too late Riot and I said something, because they had come for me too. but Pussy Riot case would be exceptional, head nations, big and small, Putins, it’s not. to limit freedom of and their power universities, and corporate corporations, funding agencies, from Putin’s Russia? Freedom in Russia increas- Are we so different expression is very great. doesn’t it? Sounds familiar, and consume products. ingly means the freedom to make money Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, Maria Alekhina, Tolokonnikova, Nadezhda not girls: Samutsevich are and Ekaterina dimin- their youth and gender emphasizing The of their action. ishes the seriousness well- Pussy Riot are mature, women of thoughtful artists. educated, Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/DRAM_e_00230 by guest on 26 September 2021