SPARKS: Nadya Tolokonnikova – Life As Art, As Activism

How can injecting ideas into art create meaningful direction? 

Nadya Tolokonnikova is perhaps known best for being a musician and founding member of the group Pussy Riot - but would describe themself primarily as a conceptual artist and political activist. 

 Nadya was jailed in their home country of Russia in 2012, following a performance in Moscow Cathedral. Amnesty International named them a ‘Prisoner of Conscience’.  

 For Nadya, concepts and ideas come first. Joy and mental health should all form part of activism, and we have the power to create our own future. 

 Disclaimers:  

This podcast contains some use of strong language. 

This Spark has been created using material recorded online during the pandemic - so the sound quality varies in places, but this shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying the material. 

 Presentation by: Nadya Tolokonnikova 

Pussy Riot News: Pussy Riot to receive the 2023 Woody Guthrie Prize (faroutmagazine.co.uk) 

Music by Pussy Riot: Pussy Riot - YouTube 

Produced by: Unboxed - a UK-wide festival of creativity that brought together Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEAM).

 Brought to you by: The RSA - the royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce. Where world-leading ideas become world-changing actions. Subscribe for new episodes weekly and visit our website to find out more about our Design for Life mission and our global changemaker community - the RSA Fellowship: theRSA.org