Monstration ‘04
Monstration 2004. Novosibirsk
Wild rumours about artistic association CAT bounced back and forth in the city well before action, which caused coppers to go overdrive. Mainstream media rote “Novosibirsk antiglobalits are planning to demonstrate with anti-social and deeply beside the point banners”. When very first participants of the Monstration showed up 9.30, they got immediately surrounded by a bunch of gopniks in uniform, demanding to give up banners, since they were “anti-social”, even when these were not even unrolled yet. Cops had one banner unrolled, revealing a shocking demand “Tanya do not cry”. “That’s it, an anti-social slogan, give it up!”. However coppers did not really managed to explain what exactly was anti-social aspect of the message, and eventually folks managed to negotiate their way to back of the queue. Some other more aggressive coppers appeared, demanding to meet with leader (sounds familiar?), to give up banners, to show permission, to go home and whatever, but soon they withdrew after some journos took close-ups.
Eventually some 100 people joined Monstration, third time around coppers managed to steal some banners. Those which remained stated “Something like that”, “Where am I?”, “Siberia is JaMAYca”, “I am broke”, “Make love, not work”, there was also a banner without text, all red with white columns. Placates included “Forward”, “Closed”, “I am against”, “I am for” and “del *.*”. A portrait of Salvador Dali was proudly carried.
Monstration 2004. Novosibirsk
March went to Lenin square, coppers came with force and surrounded participators of Monstration.
No-one was planning to stay in the boring meeting, but cops annoyed people - in case all the rest are allowed to stay, why we shouldn’t? Participators told coppers that they will not go anywhere.
Cops got violent, and eventually people left the square. Journos were threaten by cops. Soon people learned, that a couple of people were arrested during the march. People headed to police station, support group stood by entrance, which which annoyed cops. Soon first of the arrested was let free, he told that noone was beaten and cops were calm. They just asked what does banners “Monstration” and “Y-Y-Y-t`” mean. When they were told that these banners mean nothing, coppers got surprised - “But they are anti-globalist banners - how come they mean nothing!”.
Everyone was let go after 3 hours, after subscribing a statement “Our banners did not demanded overthrowing of constitutional order of Russia”.
Text: CAT-group
Monstration 2004. Manifest
When we listen to politican’s speeches,
When we face protest action,
When we go for election we cannot get rid of a feeling that everything is just a performance, a play.
All of us participate in a total show when we go for a concept, choose what to buy watch a TV.
Our five feelings is a basis for a consumer society.
On the 1st of May we will go outside with slogans propagandizing us and our feeling, and having joined a usual demonstration we will demonstrate everything that cannot be sold on the total market.
On the 1st of May we will do what we have always wanted – we will make a holiday for our emotions and feelings, the way nobody ever managed to buy then yet.
On the 1st of May we will declare of freedom for creativity and everybody’s right for creative work and creative rest.
IT JUST THE TIME MAKE OUR CITY AN ART-INJECTION
Let every participant or a group have a traditional red-white slogan, where his/her emotions and feeling will be introduced.
A-a-a-ah!!!
O-o-o-oh!!!
M-m-m-m-m!!!
A11? Oh!! Hey! Yo!
VERY GOOD!!!
Or any abracadabra like
WDIJDOASIERUIOGFGJKB!!!
F……..FDUZ! 1234567890!
Or
VERY GOOD!!!
SEHR GUT!!!
FUCKIN GREAT!!!
Or the opposite
SUCKS!!!
Or just your own portrait with exclamations
Hurrah!
……………….!
GOOD!
LOVELY!
INCOMPARABLE! F..K! etc.
Its ok if noting is written there, just empty colorful slogans…
Fantasy is welcome! Political slogans and slogans which make sense are not welcome.
The lees sense in it, the more emphatic!
Dress bright and unusual, bring musical instruments: horns, tambourines, drums, whistles, roped cans – everything that might be useful and original.
If you don’t have anything to take with you, come empty-handed.
We always have a pair of slogans for you)))
And any question of press (and non-press) simply answer: This is a Monstration!
Text: CAT-group