PRO-PROTEST
2023, animated video/loop, advert in public space
Commissioned for the group exhibition Unexpected Care – a project of the Institute of Contemporary Art – Sofia, realized with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture, Bulgaria.
Credits
Director: Veneta Androva
Music: Daniel Windisch
The video work hast been screened and exhibited at the following
2023
Unexpected Care, exhibition in public space, Eagle’s bridge/Tsarevets Underpass, Sofia (BG)
About the project
Pro-Protest is a satirical video commercial that employs speculation and alternative storytelling. Its premise revolves around a fictitious enterprise that hires individuals as professional protesters. An endemic issue in the former Eastern bloc and specifically in Bulgaria, the video comments on the delicate nature of democratic systems and their susceptibility to manipulation. The boundary between fiction and reality becomes intentionally obscured, blurring the lines that separate the plausible from the absurd. By examining this hypothetical scenario, the video invites viewers to engage in critical analysis, exposing the underbelly of a socio-political landscape where corruption thrives. By weaving together the realms of imagination and critique, the video beckons us to question the fabric of our reality and contemplate the unsettling possibilities that lie beneath its surface.
Text: Vasil Vladimirov (curator of the project Unexpected Care)
Pro-Protest is Hiring
An article featuring an interview with the CEO of Pro-Protest.
Published on May 22nd, 2023
Pro-Protest is a company that has taken Eastern Europe by storm. With offices in major cities across the region, it has been at the forefront of organizing protests since the ’90s.. Launched in 1989, the company is constantly growing and always looking for new faces to join the team and its activities.
The company’s success is rooted in the ability to mobilize people from all walks of life, regardless of their age, political affiliation or beliefs. One of the most impressive aspects of Pro-Protest is the expertise in using technology to utmost advantage. The company has a robust social media presence and uses messaging apps to communicate with paid protesters in real-time – thus everyone is on the same page and has the information needed to act accordingly.
The lucrative business of Pro-Protest has faced its fair share of challenges, including opposition from some governments and law enforcement agencies. However, the company is as always committed to ensure that all its events are conducted efficiently.
We had an end-to-end encrypted video chat with the CEO of Pro-Protest, who wishes to remain anonymous.
Q: How did you come up with the idea of starting Pro-Protest, and what motivated you to do so?
A: We were fielding requests – to conduct protests in support or opposition to a particular political issue. It all started in the early ’90s. We pioneered the ‘supporter-for-hire’ business in Eastern Europe. There is an American start-up called “Crowds-On-Demand” but they launched in 2012 and seem to be copying our business model.
Q: What is your next event?
A: A protest in Sofia, Bulgaria concerning the talks for a new cabinet. It’s an event we’re doing in coordination with various parties.
Q: How many people can you activate for such an event?
A: We have various ‘protest package’ deals. You can start small – let’s say up to 50 people. For bigger crowds of 1,000 and more, we have discounts.
Q: Who is using your services?
A: Those, who want to increase their influence, visibility, and social footprint. Politicians mainly. Of course, we provide total anonymity to our clients.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: We offer different service packages. You can order protesters/performers just for the sake of their presence, for example; or you can have a specific number of people performing at the highest levels of orchestrated engagement with signs, chants, and crowd flow. We also work with Ultras’ groups who could bring your protest or counter-protest to the next level of political and/or physical impact.
Q: What makes Pro-Protest so unique compared to other companies?
A: We pride ourselves on being inclusive and nonpartisan.
At the heart of Pro-Protest‘s mission is the belief that people have the power to effect change and change does not come for free. The company has made a significant impact on the political scene in Eastern Europe. Its commitment to all kinds of protests, combined with its innovative skill set, the use of technology, and the passion for social change while (de)stabilizing democracy has made it a powerful force to be reckoned with.
Pro-Protest on Social Media
Pro-Protest maintains a highly active social media presence, using it to recruit new members and increase their visibility by promoting their services. Throughout the exhibition period, Pro-Protest consistently posted and generated content that mirrored current political events and protests in Bulgaria, highlighting their engagement with these issues.
Documentation of Pro-Protest’s social media activity during the exhibition period 22-31.05.2023.
Unexpected Care – Group exhibition featuring moving image artworks in public space | Video documentation: Kalin Serapionov | Eagle’s Bridge, Tsarevets Underpass, Sofia