Subject-Object Art Theory

Pyotr Pavlensky turns state violence into his medium—now, in his own words, he reveals the theory behind the fire.

Pyotr Pavlensky’s Subject–Object Art Theory is both a manifesto and a method—an incendiary redefinition of what art can and should be in an era of increasing repression. Known for his radical public events, such as setting fire to government buildings, stitching his lips shut, or nailing his own body to the ground, Pavlensky has been called a provocateur. In this book, he offers...