Pussy Riot artist-activist to discuss new book in SF

Pussy Riot’s leader Nadya Tolokonnikova is many things: an activist, a media entrepreneur, a fashion connoisseur and a conceptual artist. Imprisoned by Vladimir Putin for the band’s bold, rebellious performances and favored by the American media as a sober, intelligent voice on modern Russia and its complex political reality, Tolokonnikova can now add author to that list of titles. Her book, “Read & Riot: a Pussy Riot Guide to Activism” (Harper Collins), is coming out this month. On Wednesday, Oct. 10, Tolokonnikova will appear at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco as part of a press tour. She has been here before, as a performer (“I thought San Francisco is a very diverse and open city,” Tolokonnikova says). This time, she’ll leave the trademark balaclava behind to talk about timely topics. (In early September, Tolokonnikova’s former husband, and fellow activist, Peter Verzilov, was mysteriously poisoned.) In a phone conversation from Moscow, the Russian Renaissance woman gives us a preview of her takes on media, feminism and taking action. Content has been edited for space.

Q: What inspired you to write “Read & Riot”?

A: I personally treat this book a little bit like a poetry piece, despite the fact it doesn’t look like one. I’m not pretending to offer the truth about how to make political actions, but I wanted to share my insights, the emotions and fears that drew me to being an art activist. I was being really selfish writing it, just putting my thoughts out there.

Q: What can the average person derive from the book? What would be the ideal takeaway?

A: A good outcome would be making yourself used to asking uncomfortable questions, especially questioning the existing status quo and not taking things for granted. Think about how corporations work, about how lobbying works. Then, find a way to act upon the questions you have, in a way you can enjoy. Activism shouldn’t necessarily be easy; it should challenge you, but what you do has to be compatible with your personality.

Q: In your music videos, you often engage with cross-dressing. How does this fit within your overall message?

A: I’m inspired by Plato’s “The Banquet” (from “The Symposium”) and his description of androgyny. I think that, as a modern society, we can go back to androgyny and choose how many male or female characteristics we want to embrace, every single day. Once you can (have) experiences with gender and sexuality, you can start building your own concept of the world as a human being, rather than following ideas that were given to you as actuality. These ideas are only assumptions.

Q: Russia is often looked at as feminism no-man’s land. What is really happening with feminism in Russia?

A: It’s more complicated than the media portrays it. Russia was one of the first countries who gave women the right to vote, and Russian women have access to abortion, something the U.S is still debating. That being said, the domestic responsibilities are not shared by man, by design, and as a Russian woman you’re supposed to be polished and glamorous in order to be perceived as a normative being. If you’re not taking care of yourself, no one will take you seriously; rather, you’ll be constantly asked about your poor looks. For most urban educated Russian women, feminism isn’t an interesting issue; they just live their lives and more or less have the same rights as men, and they’re happy to look feminine and glamorous. The really young generation of women, under 20, exists in the global world and goes through the same things as young girls in America. They’re closer to androgyny.

Q: You’re the co-founder of MediaZona, an independent news site covering the Russian justice system and political tribulations. What is the future of media?

A: Fact-checking and serious attitude to journalistic work will be really important in the future, as well as bloggers who have a strong moral compass. Fake news are a real deal — if you really care about truth, consider the ethics code of journalists. Social networks are also very important, but on social media there’s no responsibility, not the same level of trust.

Flora Tsapovsky is an East Bay freelance writer. Email: style@sfchronicle.com.