Paul Holdengräber is joined by Nadya Tolokonnikova on episode 122 of The Quarantine Tapes. Nadya is an artist and activist and a member of Pussy Riot. Nadya talks about her early awareness of political and social issues coming from the environmental conditions in her hometown. Nadya emphasizes the importance of community and being informed as a key part of making change.
Nadya tells Paul about what she has been reading lately and Paul asks about the writers and artists who have been her biggest influences. In a conversation that takes a sharp look at the intersection between art and politics, Nadya and Paul discuss her recent work around environmentalism as well as Nadya’s perspective on anarchy, community, and the ongoing activism in the US.
Nadya Tolokonnikova is a Russian conceptual artist, political activist, and the founder of the art collective Pussy Riot, which has been the world’s most prominent art group in recent years and a global symbol of activism. In 2012 Nadya was sentenced to 2 years' imprisonment following an anti-Putin performance by Pussy Riot in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Shortly after her release in December 2013 Nadya announced the opening of an independent Russian news service Mediazona. Nadya has spoken before the US Congress, British Parliament, European Parliament and has lectured as an honorary speaker in Harvard, Cambridge, Glastonbury music festival and at many other universities and events. Nadya is a Lennon Ono Grant for Peace recipient, has appeared as herself on season 3 of House of Cards and has performed the song "Refugees In" as part of Banksy's Dismaland. She’s created the music videos "Chaika", which exposes Russian corruption, "Make America Great Again" was eerily made before the 45th American president was elected, and other law enforcement tracks “I Can’t Breathe” (in honor of Eric Garner), “Police State”, “Bad Apples” and most recently “Elections” in protest of the Russian “elections”.
Credits:
Paul Holdengraber - Co-Creator, Host, OLA Director
Anthony Audi - Co-Creator, Researcher, OLA Director
Alejandro Cohen - Co-Creator, Producer, Composer
Christian Pitt - Production Coordinator
Erin Cooney - Copy, Production
Dublab Team
