Voina: Performative, Political Penetration. Is it Art?

Philosophy graduate from Moscow State University, Oleg Vorotnikov and  his wife Natalia Sovok have started up a political "art" activist group called Voina. From flipping cop cars to displaying a giant penis on a St. Petersburg drawbridge, the group is really stirring things up in Russia. And for better or worse, it is gaining them international recognition. However, the question remains, should this be considered art? And if it is, what separates their 213 foot phallus from every other penis scribbled on the backs of bathroom stalls and subways?   

Figure 1

According to John Williams Narins, an ARTnews journalist, "In April, the group received the Innovation Prize, one of [Russia's] two major art honors" (1) . I wouldn't exactly call their work innovative, but it does cause the viewer to reflect on Voina's political statement. In regards to figure 1, the giant penis faces the FSB headquarters, once known as the KGB. For those readers familiar with the hit show, Archer, you know exactly what an insult this places on the Russian  government, or rather it's policing system. In other words, the two are screaming to the whole of Russia (and now the world), what they believe, is severe corruption within FSB. Ergo, it is not surprising that Vorotnikov and Sovok have been arrested and are awaiting a hearing. If convicted, the two face the daunting possibility of being locked up for close to 7 years.

In a show of support, renowned graffati artist, Banksy, has graciously offered to donate, "all proceeds from the sale of a new run of 175 prints to the jailed duo and their group" (The Art Exchange). At £450 per print, Banksy certainly is making a statement that goes beyond philanthropy. As a political activist himself, it would appear he has embraced Voina's message with the arms of a comrade. And in financially supporting them, he has involved himself in their performance. 

Now, it's all well and good standing up and in Banksy case, encouraging what Voina feels is nepotism, but in calling their work art, in my opinion is a bit extreme. Then again, so is their statement. 

"Illegality is an inescapable element of Voina’s art. The reason human-rights groups have paid little attention to their legal plight until recently is probably that what Voina does is generally subject to criminal sanctions, whether you consider it art or not" (Narins 1). 

So is this what separates Voina's massive member from the rest of its phallic brethren?  In engaging in illegal activity, Voina's art makes the statement:  Size Matters. (Not just literally, but figuratively as well). If I were to claim that their performance  deserves artistic merit, then I would have to inadvertently agree with their provocations. However, I neither condone nor condemn it.  Rather, I see Voina's activism as  just another dick causing an uproar with its direct and rather erect, political adversity.

Figure 2: One of Banksy's Political Artworks