About the symposium 2014
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. Production manager from the students union: Hanne Skogvang.
Judith Butler, the American philosopher and gender theorist, is a professor at Berkley University in California. Her work about feminist theory is very recognized and has had a big impact on continental philosophy, literature theory and political philosophy. She has several times been involved in political activism, especially feminism, gay rights and anti-war movements. Butler will on the symposium talk about prison, public demonstrations and political prisoners.
Rosi Braidotti is philosopher, feminist theorist and professor at Utrecht University. She work mainly with social and political theory, feminist theory and is famous for being a pioneer in her work about feministic philosophy, especially in her new book, "The Posthuman" (2013).
She will at the symposium talk about solidarity and alternatives to prisons in connection with actionism.
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, an exhibition with the Feminist Pencil at Galleri 69/Grünerløkka Lufthavn and a screening of Die Moskauer Prozesse by Milo Rau at Café Mir/Grünerløkka Lufthavn. The parallel programme has been curated by Ekaterina Sharova, in collaboration with the First Supper Symposium.
In cooperation with Kulturutvalget/The Norwegian Student Society, Kunstnernes Hus, Galleri 69and Café Mir/Grünerløkka Lufthavn.
Tickets avaiable at Billetservice.
Gidsken Braadlie, artist, administrator and web editor 
Ekaterina Sharova, guest curator and art historian 
Camilla Dahl, artist, curator and international press coordinator 
Natalie Hope O'Donnell, curator and PhD Research Fellow 
Ane Katrine Øverseth Olsen, press coordinator / webeditor 
Production manager from the student union, Hanne Linn Skogvang