"Punk Protest Performance: Pussy Riot in Perspective", 12 May 2014, 6–9pm

Pussy Riot. Photo: Igor Mukhin, 2012.

Monday 12 May 2014, 6–9pm
Det Norske Studentersamfund
Slemdalsveien 150369 
Oslo, Norway
www.thefirstsuppersymposium.org

With Rosi Braidotti, Judith Butler, Viktor Misiano and Pussy Riot

A number of issues were raised when members of Pussy Riot were arrested and imprisoned after their Punk Prayer performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (2012). When does public protest transgress the limited range of permissible behaviours in a society? What is the future of feminist performance art under times of censorship? 

The First Supper Symposium have gathered these renowned speakers to provide different perspectives on Pussy Riot's punk protest performances—from gender theory to Russian contemporary art practice—in dialogue with members of the feminist collective. Ekaterina Sharova will contextualise Pussy Riot's performances in relation to the Russian contemporary art scene, while Viktor Misiano will situate their work within a history of art activism in the immediate post-Soviet era. Rosi Braidotti will reflect on the politics of women's rock and punk bands and how performances have been used as feminist means of protest. Judith Butler will examine the gender and LGBT issues Pussy Riot invoke in a wider context of political demonstrations. Pussy Riot is represented by Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina. Panel discussion moderated by Natalie Hope O'Donnell.

The symposium forms part of a series of events and exhibitions in Oslo, including a screening of Non-Consensual Act (in progress) and artist talk with Goshka Macuga at Kunstnernes Hus, and an exhibition with the Feminist Pencil at Galleri 69/Grünerløkka Lufthavn. The parallel programme has been curated by Ekaterina Sharova, in collaboration with the First Supper Symposium.

Words and Image via eflux.

Nick Cave | Art Basel Miami 2012 Series [1]

This year's Art Basel Miami was its eleventh edition and its representation of African American, Carribean Diaspora, and African Diaspora artists is described as the best in Basel's history. In this post series, I present some black artists featured at Art Basel Miami 2012.

Nick Cave is a fabric sculptor, dancer, and performance artist best known for his Soundsuits which are colourful, often whimsical wearable fabric sculptures. Typical materials used in the sculptures include twigs, dyed human hair, plastic buttons, beads, sequins, and feathers.

Left: Soundsuit, 2011, mixed media, 86 x 48 x 39 inches, NC11.036

Right: Soundsuit, 2008, Mixed media

Nick Cave: Meet Me at the Center of the Earth (travelling exhibition), 
Seattle Art Museum, Washington, 2011. 

Watch an interview with Nick Cave below:

Follow the series:

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye | Art Basel Miami 2012 Series [2]

Julie Mehretu | Art Basel Miami 2012 Series [3]
Yinka Shonibare | Art Basel Miami 2012 Series [4]

The Impact of Cultural Arts | Conversations with che kothari

che kothari is a recognized leader in the Toronto community. He is popular among the vibrant youth and artists of the city. I first met che when I attended a joint book launch of Keisha Monique and album launch of Ian Kamau. che kothari had a very warm personality and was the least intimidating despite his strong influence in the community. It would be hard to adequately conceptualize his impact on the city if you had just met him right then because he’d treat you just like his own. I sat down with che to talk about his views on the value of cultural arts and its role in cities like Toronto.

Self-portraits

PhotoCredit: (Left & Right) By Che Kothari

About che kothari

Our interview began with an introduction to che kothari’s family. che began by telling me about his mother and father’s immigration from their native India to Canada. che’s father worked in the shoe industry in the Middle East.  As is the dominant story of many Indian families, che was expected to take on his father’s work but although he was grateful and respectful of his father’s journey, his destiny took him along a different one.

Once settled in Guelph, Ontario, the Kothari family would find time to travel to the Caribbean, which felt like a physically closer version of Indian home. che fondly recalled a tender moment on Curacao, an island just north of Venezuela. Carnival was happening and che was absorbed in his efforts to document the scene. In that moment he realized what a blessing it was for him to have the opportunity to witness such strong culture. This was one of his first introductions to the role of documentation through photography.

Trinidad

PhotoCredit: Che Kothari

Back in Guelph, che’s classmates belonged to affluent families and there was little diversity in his neighbourhood. Other than during his travels, it was not until he moved to Toronto at age 17 that he found people who looked like he did, spoke like he did, and were as culturally expressive as he was. He describes Toronto as a “burst of creative and cultural energy that was not as present in Guelph”. There he also discovered communities of young people who were expressing themselves with hip hop and cultural art.

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