Nadya Tolokonnikova, most recognized as a founding member of Pussy Riot, celebrated the conclusion of her performance installation, Police State, this past Sunday. The event held a conversation with artist Fulton Leroy Washington, also known as Mr. Wash, and MOCA Associate Curator Alex Sloane and a special performance by Pussy Riot Sibera at the Warehouse at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

Tolokonnikova premiered Police State at the Los Angeles location on June 5. The closing performance was originally scheduled for Sunday, June 15 but was postponed due to high police presence in the area during the recent Los Angeles protests. Tolokonnikova momentarily paused her performance installation to join the protests against the ICE raids in Los Angeles and has repeatedly stated “It’s beginning to look a lot like Russia.”

Inspired by her personal experience of serving a two-year prison sentence in Russia, Tolokonnikova created Police State. The durational performance and installation centers on a confined cell. Tolokonnikova resided in the jail cell at all times during the performance piece where she sewed garments, just as she did during her prison sentence. She also created spectrums of soundscapes from eerie lullabies to harsh bursts of noise. Artworks sent to Tolokonnikova by current and formerly incarcerated Russian, Belarusian and American political prisoners lined the interior walls of her cell. During the run of the installation, guests were able to visit and see Tolokonnikova through viewing slots around the cell. The piece explores the omnipresent mechanisms of control, surveillance, and systems of power, the work transforms Warehouse into a visceral panopticon—a space where observers and the observed exist in a perpetual dance of oppression, resistance, and exposure.

The closing ceremony began with a 30-minute conversation with Mr. Wash, Sloane and Tolokonnikova. The three discussed topics such as oppression, prison systems, and the importance of art. Due to the Warehouse having an intense echo, it was a bit difficult to understand most of the conversation. Mr. Wash was wrongfully convicted of three nonviolent drug offenses, and due to mandatory minimums, was sentenced to life in prison. Mr. Wash spoke about his experience of being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 21 years. He discovered art and taught himself how to paint, creating hundreds of artworks. In 2016, his case was recognized by President Obama, who granted his release.

Following the conversation Tolokonnikova was joined by Pussy Riot Siberia for a special performance. The set included tracks such as “Putin’s Ashes,” “Rage,” the eerie rendition of the lullaby “Ashes,” “1312” and concluded with “Police State.” During the performance several women dressed in black silk dresses and bright red balaclavas and gloves took center stage. The combination of the loud distorted guitars and mysterious dancers amplified that fascinating confrontational and provocative style Pussy Riot is most known for. I’ve been lucky enough to see Tolokonnikova perform as Pussy Riot a few times, each time tops the other. The passion she carries for her activism shines through each show. This performance was no exception, Tolokonnikova ended the set with a chant that had nearly every attendee shouting “ICE out of LA.”

See photographs of the event below:

Photo credit: Conny Chavez