At the intersection of art, feminism, activism, and anti-imperialism, we find the exhibition Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia. On view at Munich’s Haus der Kunst until February 2, 2025, this new show maps the political evolution of the country led by Vladimir Putin and how it has grown increasingly oppressive, belligerent, and hostile over the years.
Formed in 2011, the feminist collective Pussy Riot broke through to mainstream media thanks to their colourful balaclavas, disruptive acts of protest, and rage-fuelled songs. Over the years, Western media echoed their actions as they became the 'visible' faces of resistance against Putin’s authoritarian regime. However, as they gained fame, the group struggled to find balance, and the original co-founders gradually distanced themselves from the project. Nevertheless, one of them, Maria Alyokhina, has continued to amplify the group’s voice and is now presenting the most comprehensive show of Pussy Riot in Germany. The exhibition is co-organised and co-curated by Ragnar Kjartansson, Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir, and Dorothee Maria Kirch (Kling & Bang, Reykjavik); alongside Lydia Antoniou, Andrea Lissoni, and Margarita (Haus der Kunst München).
In Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia, we witness the evolution of the group alongside that of Russia. The exhibition highlights the arrests, releases, and physical injuries the members endured, including torture in jail. The exhibit also features graffiti on the walls created specifically for the show, lending it an underground undertone—an aesthetic resonating with rioting and protesting.
It is intriguing to see a German institution take such an open political stance. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several museums and galleries have staged exhibitions denouncing the violence. However, in Germany’s case, it is troubling that anyone voicing support for Gaza or calling for a ceasefire and an end to the genocide is swiftly silenced, cut off from scholarships or other forms of support, and even imprisoned. Criticising Russia’s government and actions is widely accepted in the EU, but it is one of the very few current conflicts that institutions dare to address. This raises questions about where genuine activism ends and performativity begins—just as Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia challenges us to consider where art ends and activism begins.
