I never would've thought that a member of Pussy Riot would cite Borat as something that makes her laugh.
But then again,Never Sleep Alone (1984) Maria Alyokhina isn't known for merely doing what's expected of her.
Mashablecaught up with the activist and artist for the opening of "Art Riot: Post-Soviet Actionism" at London's Saatchi Gallery. It's a comprehensive exhibition of Russian artists exercising their freedom of expression at a time when their government is cracking down on dissent.
SEE ALSO: The Russian protest artists that will inspire you to #resistThe exhibition comes as the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president has prompted many Americans -- who may not have been especially engaged with activism in the past -- to protest against what they see as policies that harm marginalised communities.
Alyokhina knows a thing or two about this -- she was sentenced to two years in a prison colony for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" for Pussy Riot's anti-Vladimir Putin performance in an Orthodox church.
Despite the seriousness of it all though she believes that it's essential to keep a smile on your face as you express yourself and stand up for what's right.
"There is one quote from an old Soviet film that so many stupid things are made with serious faces," she said. "And the character in this film said this when, like, so-called government wanted to kill him."
Check out the video above to find out more about her influences and her advice for Americans. You'll get seriously inspired by the sense of humour she's maintained through difficult times.
"I think Trump can be a remind for people to stand up for freedom and values which they already know, and fight for them," Alyokhina said.
Topics Activism Social Good Donald Trump
Best earbuds deal: Save 20% on Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker
Uber could be worth $90 billion. Most drivers won't see much of it.
I spent my morning at New York's new Taylor Swift Experience
Dog devastated to realize bone painted on bowl is not an actual bone
The Beatles biopic casts all the internet's boyfriends in one movie
Dog devastated to realize bone painted on bowl is not an actual bone
Everything coming to (and going from) Hulu in May 2019
A group of Marvel fans turned MIT's Great Dome into Captain America's shield
Today's Hurdle hints and answers for April 17, 2025
Here's the key Melisandre line from 'Game of Thrones' Ep 3 you may have missed
This is the fattest of the extremely fat bears
Facebook bans political ads from other countries to fight EU election interference
Samsung launches 17.3
Where all the surviving Avengers will probably go after 'Endgame'
Best Sony deal: Save $100 on WH
Boy who wrote touching letter to child war victim melts our hearts again
Mike Pence tries to end the 'Hamilton' drama while Trump stokes the flames
'Game of Thrones' fans react to the episode's most surprising death
Best headphone deal: Take 22% off the Sonos Ace at Amazon
'Avengers: Endgame' is missing one crucial superhero: Batman
William Styron in Letters, Part 5 by William StyronThe Porter’s Lodge by Michael McGrathFree Verses by Dorian RolstonEducational Viewing by Sadie SteinThe Hatchet Falls by Sadie SteinHarris Khalique, Islamabad, Pakistan by Matteo PericoliHappy New Year! And Other News by Sadie SteinOld New York by André AcimanGoT Beer, and Other News by Sadie SteinNew Hans Christian Andersen? And Other News by Sadie SteinIn Memoriam: Harvey Shapiro, 1924–2013 by Sadie SteinSaved by John Jeremiah SullivanThe Paris Review Mug: Now for Sale! by The Paris ReviewHow to Get into College, Indiana Jones Edition by Sadie SteinIn Memoriam: Evan S. Connell, 1924–2013 by Lorin SteinFreedom and Light by Brian CullmanLists of Lists, and Other News by Sadie SteinWPA Wants You to Read by Sadie SteinLists of Lists, and Other News by Sadie SteinHarris Khalique, Islamabad, Pakistan by Matteo Pericoli A Marine who worked on 'Six Days in Fallujah' explains why it exists Newt, it takes just a few seconds to proofread a tweet 7 helpful tools for adding closed captions to your videos Pixel 5a leaks, looks pretty much the same as Pixel 4a 5G Netflix's 'Ginny & Georgia' is predictable but fun: TV review TikTok removed hundreds of thousands of videos spreading misinformation about the election and COVID Buff kangaroo probably has a very particular set of skills, and will find you The Hamburger Helper has finally confirmed what its skeleton looks like Disney+ release dates for 'Loki,' 'Star Wars: The Bad Batch' and more 'OK Google' has apparently been broken on Wear OS devices for months, but a fix is coming Fitbit launches Mindful Method meditation feature with Deepak Chopra 80kg python is family's pet, as toddler rides it like a horse Volkswagen's new ID.4 EV soothes drivers with a subtle (and literal) guiding light Bogus math question that infuriates the internet was just a troll Child bride uses Facebook evidence to annul her illegal underage marriage Trump says he met the President of the Virgin Islands ... which is him How Harvey Weinstein allegations went from inside joke to national scandal: A timeline Trump and Mitch McConnell formally announce bromance in weird Rose Garden press conference Mars' 2 weird moons began as 1 large moon, study suggests In France, Apple now shows how hard its products are to repair
2.2926s , 10109.4375 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Never Sleep Alone (1984)】,Inspiration Information Network