Synopsis
Voïna is a collective of Russian artists and activists founded by a charismatic couple, Oleg Vorotnikov and Natalia Sokol, who are known for their provocative political actions. It was from this group that Nadia Tolokonnikova, a member of Pussy Riot, was born. Tomorrow follows some spectacular moments in the life of the collective and questions the limits of art as political action.
A word from Tënk
To wandering. To the one that stretches the nights, the thoughts, our release. To these scattered, shouted, sown thoughts. Those that nourish the walls, the gazes, the void, and the bottles thrown into the fire. Let us untether ourselves, untune our pianos, untie our laces, and disharmonize our lyrical politics that cling to our freedom. To this political wandering that disrupts, and questions. To the wandering that acts, which drifts in the atmosphere like billows of smoke. To Voïna and their wandering, which tempts, which overturns, which argues. They won't change this over-watched Russia; in fact, they won't even change the sexist dynamics that permeate their small group. Yet they have wandered into an unsuspected, unquiet, and ungovernable land. I recall these few verses of Mayakovsky that I once read as a student:
"Who will question the Moon? Who will enjoin the Sun to answer ? What makes them bring out day and night ? Who will name the genius who created Earth? The same is true of my poem: no one is the author. And it has only one idea: to illuminate the coming days of tomorrow.”
Rémi Journet
Tënk Canada's editorial assistant
