Pussy Riot // Teen Vogue

Last month we had front woman, Nadya Tolokonnikova of Russian feminist punk band/art collective, Pussy Riot at our Brooklyn soundstage to shoot a conceptual video with artists Jessie Askinazi and Claire Christerson, in support of the East Los Angeles Women's Center (ELAWC). This collaboration titled "Clusters" featured on Teen Vogue is intended to bring awareness to the potential financial cuts to programs that are dedicated to helping women who have been sexually assaulted as well as survivors of domestic violence. Despite the staggering statistics of abuse throughout our country, the Trump administration proposed to cut all 25 grants under the Violence Against Women Act back in March, which would in turn directly affect funding for the many programs that serve to help these victims.

During her interview with Teen Vogue, Nadya speaks up about her inspiration for this project and the fact that getting rid of these institutions simply puts peoples lives in jeopardy. "I'm angry that instead of protecting our rights the government are ceasing them. I'm sick of it." With an ever growing list of provocative demonstrations and politically charged music, Nadya is probably best known for her group's 2012 guerrilla performance in a church protesting President Vladimir Putin and the church's support of his presidential campaign. This resulted in a 2 year prison sentence for her as well as another member of the all girl group after being charged for "hooliganism". In turn, Pussy Riot became an international symbol of Putin's crackdown on free speech. This of course carries over to our current situation that seems to be unfolding under the rise of Trump in their previous video depiction called, "Make America Great Again".

To watch this moving piece shot at our photo studio rental space and learn more about it's origins check out the full article here.

The Trump administration has proposed to cut all 25 grant programs created under the Violence Against Women Act. Without these programs, many local organizations will no longer be able to secure the safety and well-being of women recovering from violence. Since 1976, the East Los Angeles Women’s Center has provided bilingual services to women who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and HIV. This video is an interpretation of accounts from real women who have received help from the ELAWC. Please visit http://elawc.org/ to learn more about their services and donate today. Concept: “Clusters” is inspired by Masaru Emoto's water crystal studies. Emoto believed that water was a "blueprint for our reality" and that human consciousness, emotional "energies" and "vibrations" could change the molecular structure of water. As humans are primarily made up of water, the notion is that with support, nurturing, and healing, positive transformation is possible- and it is representative of how we are all deeply affected by our environments. The title also draws from women banding together to use their collective voices to create change and progress. A camera that is typically used for skateboarding videos was used here, and the set was built with a DIY approach - a gritty, textured aesthetic was in mind. Credits: Directed by Claire Christerson Creative Director Jessie Askinazi Starring Jessie Askinazi Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot Produced by Be Electric Studios Choreography by Kathleen Dycaico Set Design by Claire Christerson Styling by Phil Gomez Clothing by Sext Pixels SBP Archives Gypsy Sport Makeup by Ryan Burke Vocals and Sound Design by Laurie Amat Sound Design by Simon Scott of Slowdive Unit Still Photographer Robert Jencks Special Thanks Julia Coelletes Cassie Curry Nora Normile Archie Robertson Louis Shannon Sinjun Strom Ary Warnaar