Velvet Terrorism

Pussy Riot’s Russia

de Maria Alyokhina, Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir, Tine Colstrup

Pussy Riot is a Russian activist group that was founded in Moscow in 2011. The art collective is known for its spontaneous and courageous actions that challenge the Russian regime. The catalogue “Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot's Russia” was produced in collaboration with several institutions in Europe and Canada - in particular the Louisiana Museum of Art in Copenhagen, where the exhibition has been a great success. It precisely reflects the content of the touring exhibition of the same name and is the largest display of the group's artistic work to date. It is illustrated by a large selection of images, lyrics, and videostills, as well as personal stories from Pussy Riot members. In addition to the iconic performances, such as “Punk Prayer” (2012), the exhibition catalogue also documents a variety of lesser-known actions as well as the escape of some of Pussy Riot's core members from Russia in 2022. The catalogue is presented as a photographic collage from the perspective of Pussy Riot themselves and offers a critical and up-to-date insight into the development of Putin's Russia over the last twelve years with a photo archive that has never been exhibited before. Published by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. With contributions on the actions of Pussy Riot, collected by Maria Alyokhina.