Press Alert: Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova to Present Pop-Up Exhibition and Talk at the Wende Museum this Weekend

What: FEAR NOT, a pop-up exhibition of new work by Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova
Why: The death of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny
When: Exhibition runs 10 a.m.—5 p.m. on Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 3, 2024
Where: The Wende Museum, 10808 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
Artist Talk: Nadya Tolokonnikova will discuss her work at 2 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a Q&A and reception.

This weekend, the Wende Museum proudly presents FEAR NOT, a pop-up exhibition of new work by Nadya Tolokonnikova, founder of Russian feminist performance art group Pussy Riot, in conjunction with Frieze L.A. and the ongoing Visions of Transcendence: Creating Space in East and West exhibition and in collaboration with Turner Carroll Gallery. This event stands as a powerful testament to artistic defiance against authoritarianism and commemorates the resilience of the creative spirit.

Nadya Tolokonnikova’s newest art is a series of 15 works created in response to the tragic death of her friend Alexei Navalny in prison. Navalny dedicated his life to striving for a free Russia, and his loss is profoundly felt. Through her art, Tolokonnikova calls on the West to recognize and confront the significant threat that Russian President Vladimir Putin poses to global peace and security.

Tolokonnikova’s artwork, crafted from the skills honed during her political imprisonment, challenges the marginalization of textile-based art forms and celebrates the purity, innocence, and beauty of resistance. FEAR NOT is a call to action—a reminder that democracy is precious and fragile, requiring our constant vigilance and courage to preserve.

Nadya Tolokonnikova will be on hand to discuss the work at 2 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a Q&A and reception. Tolokonnikova will be interviewed by the Wende Museum’s Chief Curator and Director of Programming Joes Segal. Admission to this talk is free, open to the public, and available on a first-come, first-serve basis due to limited capacity. Early arrival is highly recommended.

Admission to both the talk and the exhibition is free, open to the public, and available on a first-come, first-serve basis due to limited capacity.

This pop-up exhibition not only showcases Tolokonnikova’s latest work but also aligns with the themes of the Wende Museum’s Visions of Transcendence exhibition, highlighting the power of artistic expression to transcend oppression across various political landscapes.