Liberation of the Muse?: Protest Street Art and Russian Propaganda Machine

• In Event: Tools and Influences of Russian Propaganda III

Abstract

This study explores protest street art as a counterpoint to three main effects of the Russian propaganda machine: (#1) induced misperceptions (beliefs that represent clearly implausible interpretations of observed evidence), (#2) distraction (redirection of public attention away from events with collective action potential), and (#3) disorientation. The purpose of disorientation is not to convince the audience of any particular truth, but instead make it impossible for people to tell fact from fiction. While the messaging of the Russian propaganda relies on the stale mix of anti-Americanism and Russian messianism, street art (sharp, innovative, & creatively young) reflects Russian citizens’ rejection of the government’s disinformation campaign and its attempts at Z-ombification of Russian society. When new censorship/foreign agent laws went into effect, street art became the most visible protest phenomenon where artists used every available platform to reach their audience. Their work helps resist normalization of war and support opinion allies: every green ribbon (a symbol of the now banned “Spring” Art collective) or two carnations (with “Лёша” for Navalny) are reminders that there are many dissenters around and not all hope has been lost. As the artists admit to being tired of fearing prison, they share safety memos and speedy twenty minutes painting techniques that help avoid capture. The study argues that protest art responds to the abyss between the bland and ever-shifting government’s propaganda narrative and the grave reality of political oppression, forced military draft, prison sentences for FB “likes,” global isolation, and attempts at cultural destruction.

Author

• Elena Sommers, Rochester Institute of Technology