NADYA TOLOKONNIKOVA
Luis Vazquez [9:06 PM]
Nadya Tolokonnikova is a Russian political activist and artist who lives in California. After a performance in Moscow, she was detained and imprisoned for two years by Russian authorities because they saw her art and expression as a threat to their country. They convicted her of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred." Nadya married Pyotr Verzilov and together participated in controversial and alarming art performances. Her provocative work and projects such as " Fuck for their Puppy Bear," "Operation Kiss Garbage," and "Punk Prayer" led to her arrest for "hooliganism." Nadya is a member of the band Pussy Riot whose goal is to resist Putin's attempt to crackdown on free speech.
Nadya of Pussy Riot joins Ebro Darden in the Beats 1 NYC Studio.
Nadya's views on Trump and Putin.
Pussy Riot - Chaika
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Nadya conveys her messages through performance art and demonstrations unlike the exhibit artists we have studied. I see the similarities between Nadya, and Ai Weiwei and Dred Scott. I think Nadya is brave for fighting oppression and going to prison for it and still making it alive. Its sad to see a trend in political activists and artists being imprisoned or fined for expressing their unrest through art. I like to see thoughtful people with tons of emotions and opinions share their non-violent art to the world. Although they are fighting against oppression and corruption, I think it is important to fight back by being the bigger person and using love and education rather than violence and hate. She has produced many music videos with her band Pussy Riot that can be viewed on youtube, along with interviewswith Nadya Tolokonnikova.
I dated a Ukrainian once and that's when I was informed on the horrible man that is, Vladamir Putin. I had never heard of this guy until I met an angry Ukrainian whose country was being affected by this dictator. I could feel the anger and emotions in his voice whenever he talked about Putin. So when learning about this week's artist and the drive behind her work, I could sympathize to her cause for speaking out against Putin and his regime.