Pussy Riot, the Russian feminist protest and performance art group known for their provocative punk rock music and guerrilla performances has given a voice to many women and individuals who have found themselves voiceless. Founded in Moscow in 2011, the group now consists of hundreds of members today who remain anonymous by wearing colorful balaclavas (ski masks) during their performances. One of three members who have not remained anonymous was imprisoned for two years due to her outspoken views of President Putin. She is Nadezhda Tolokonnikova who goes by Nadya.  

While hooliganism in other countries may be a slap on the wrist, “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” was not for Nadya, who showcased an incredibly avant-garde exhibit at Canvas 3.0 at the Oculus in New York City as a benefit for the American Folk Art Museum. During the event, the iconic “Psycho Killer” himself David Byrne of the Talking Heads, bestowed Nadya with the 2024 Dynamic Achievements in the Arts Award at the direction of the American Folk Art Museum.

When walking into the space, that had been relocated last minute, guests were handed a white ski mask with spray painted X’s on the front. They were nearly identical to the ones the members wear to disguise their identities. The original art on the walls was a mixture of black and red — depicting religious entities and the group themselves. A video on the wall played while the group stood by as a picture of Vladimir Putin burned. This was followed by a scene of small shovels putting the charred remnants into small vials labeled “Putin’s ashes.” The imagery and sentiment are anything but subtle. 

Nadya who named this project “PUSSY RIOT – SIBERIA” was seen walking around the space happily talking to the crowd before the performance started. The poised and energetic curator was hard to imagine behind bars as she greeted guests with a demeanor of hope and optimism. When asked to elaborate on the project she said “For me, Pussy Riot has always been an expression of primal rage that is also informed by my beginnings in the Moscow Conceptual Underground. I will be channeling that rage into a metaphysical system of punishing sound waves, pure and transcendent. We aim to produce a tower of sound as black and brutal as Norilsk, the Siberian city where I grew up. A tower of sound to reach up into the sky and annihilate the ills of the world.”

The performance that night did just that. Starting at 7:00 p.m. Brooklyn Museum’s Carmen Hermo began an interview that spanned the motives and career of Nadya, which included being named Times Woman of the Year 2012. The interview lasted roughly 15 minutes. During the interview, Nadya explained that even though she sees things that could be fixed in her home country of Russia, she still wishes she could live there, something she is not able to do because of being banned from the country. Nadya elaborated she is “geographically anonymous” and that “Today I’m in New York. Who knows tomorrow.”

After the interview, David Byrne walked on stage to introduce Nadya and acknowledge her long list of achievements. The performance, which consisted of an all original piece, lasted for 45 minutes in a room that only held roughly 150 people. As the set started it was profoundly conceptual. Nadya, who mentioned that “Moscow conceptualism is romantic,” kept to that sentiment as the set progressed. The stage consisted of a DJ, a person on guitar, and Nadya. The set which played straight through to 8:00 p.m. gave power to noise that at times felt like the bells ringing in St. Petersburg to the churning of a steel factories oven. While creating feedback and waves of sounds, the words “All gods left to gather in a new world” would be repeated. After the first 15 minutes, Nadya walked off the stage as the lighter background noise continued. She reemerged with a white ski mask on, matching the ones that were handed out as everyone walked in. The feedback and bellows increased in harshness after her face was hidden, giving a visceral feeling of the depth the mask holds.

The message was clear. While the words are spoken over different tones and environments, some of which are harsh and others lighter, peace will reign free in the end. Through this piece, she composed an image of the harsh Siberian landscape. One that is not always straightforward or easy. The piece did not have verses, a chorus, or a bridge like a standard piece of music — which was the point. Thanks to the American Folk Art Museum, Nadya was able to share this message to a very open and receptive audience. The American Folk Art Museum in New York City is one of the only museums that is free every day and worth a visit.

Photo Credit: Cate Groubert