Galactic Space Dick Voina Analysis

There’s no mystery behind why Voina’s “Galactic Space Dick” caused such uproar amongst Russian authorities. Outlined with white paint, and performed at Russia’s iconic Lintenyi Bridge in St Petersburgh, a 65m long by 27m wide phallus stood tall to become an “aesthetic for democracy.” Done in the early hours of 14 June 2010 several members from Voina charged through barricades with paint cartons managing to draw a penis within 23 seconds. The act was meticulously planned so that once the task was complete the drawbridge would be due to erect and directly face FSB headquarters (Russian security services). Such a performance treads a fine line between art and criminal activity. The artwork its self is not for aesthetical pleasure and lacks technical prowess, it’s simply a boldly outlined phallice that resembles that which is found in teenager’s schoolbooks. Instead, Voina’s piece is more a conceptual political protest that rebels against Russian authorities by aiming to rupture state powers. The symbolic meaning behind the work could stand for a range of things both metaphorically and literally. It can be viewed as a rape of the once former capital, where Voina asserts large amounts of dominance and power over the Russian institutions through sexual imagery. It may also be interpreted as retaliation against Russia’s increasingly stricter security. Either way, this artwork is intelligently utilised by Voina as a vessel to voice their concerns against authorities. The piece is placed in the public eye,
The seven staged photographs portray children hanging from a cross referencing Jesus’ crucifixion. However, instead of a wooden cross, soldiers, surgeons, priests and others replace it to comment on child abuse issues being advocated by