Pussy Riot is a Russian all-female rock band. Arts Essay

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Pussy Riot
Pussy Riot is a Russian all-female rock band which was formed in august 2011. It has had varied number of members but averagely they usually number 11 people including the technical team that shoots and edits their videos CITATION Cha12 \l 1033 (Clover). They do not have a conventional album yet but they have several songs under the title ‘kill the sexist.’ Most of their songs are politically charged and they continue to use their artistic skills to speak about poor political governance, feminist and LGBT issues. The gained international notoriety in 2012 when they performed one of their signature songs in cathedral of Christ savior church. They claimed that their performance was a protest to the church for supporting the reelection of Putin who they considered a dictator CITATION Ben181 \l 1033 (Beaumont-Thomas). Some of its members were subsequently arrested and later arraigned in court and charged with hooliganism.
The group has always been very outspoken about Vladimir Putin’s leadership. One of their songs, mother of God, drive Putin away’ in which they performed in a church in 2012 February 21st. The song and the performance were considered sacrilegious by the clergy. The security team at the church escorted them outside. The song lyrics are very critical of Putin’s leadership and accused the Russian orthodox church of being the puppets of the government. Russian orthodox church Patriarch Kirill had openly supported Putin’s 2012 reelecting. Kirril called Putin ‘a miracle from God.’ They also claimed he had ‘rectified the crooked path of history.’ Following this performance, three of the group’s members were arrested.
The goal of the group does not seem to lead a successful musical career but to use music to address some of the issues they face. Though they have been arrested, tried and incarcerated, they have continued to be critical of the regime. Their goal seems to criticize the government for its corruption and corruption under president Putin. During their trial, Madonna offered to perform with them if they so wished CITATION Mir12 \l 1033 (Elder). One of the band members speaking on behalf of the group turned down the invitation citing that they do not participate in capitalist performances where tickets are sold but in illegal ones CITATION Dai12 \l 1033 (Sindelar and Kirilenko). This demonstrated their deep conviction that their objectives are only politically motivated and designed to call for change in their country.
The story of Pussy Riot embodies courage in the face of the ruthless enemy; the government of Russia and the church. The government of Russia under President Putin is dictatorial and has been cracking down on dissidents and opposition officials. The church has gone to bed with the administration and there seems to be no hope in sight for the opp...