In an unusual event, Russian painter Piotr Pavlenski carried out an act of protest which has made waves throughout the globe thanks to its visual impact.
According to news agency AFP, the 29-year-old painter from Saint Petersburg, carried out an act of protest Sunday against the "political indifference" of Russian society at Moscow's Red Square.
The act occurred on the same day as Russia's Policemen Day. The controversial Russian artist, who had already made the news in 2012 when he sewed his lips shut as a protest against the arrest of various members of activist rock group "Pussy Riot", drove a nail through his scrotum, and into the cobblestone of the iconic Red Square.
According to ABC, Pavlensky remained naked under light rain for over an hour, shocking visitors of the historic square, one of the most important touristic spots in Moscow.
Shortly after, police units covered him with a blanket and carried him away from the eyes of tourists in the Red Square.
Pavlesnki defined his act, which he called "Fixation", as a metaphor for the current state of Russian society in the face of the Kremlin's policies, calling Russian society "apathetic" and "fatalist".
"It's not the arbitriness of public officials which deprives society from its ability to act, but rather the fixation on its own defeats and losses which nails us harder everytime to the cobblestones of the Kremlin, turning people into statues", said Pavlensky, quoted by ABC.
Afterwards, the 29-year-old artist was taken to a nearby hospital to treat his wounds. Russian authorities have said that Pavlenski will be arrested after recovering in the Russian capital.
You can see the video of Piotr Pavlenski's act here.
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