Katya Shadkovska's Exhibition on Yeltsin Death Brigade at Trafostacja, Szczecin

From 17 October to 17 November 2019, Trafostacja in Szczecin showcased Katya Shadkovska's video piece 'Yeltsin Death Brigade / Freedom or Boredom' (2019). This Warsaw-based artist delves into the Yeltsin Death Brigade, a subculture emerging in St Petersburg in 2014, where participants nostalgically reflect on Boris Yeltsin's presidency (1991-1999) as a fleeting period of liberation. The exhibition included merchandise and interviews addressing themes such as 'ass-fucking' and antifascist responses. Additionally, Shadkovska presented another video titled 'Speech to Poles' (2019), featuring Anatoly, who advocates for 'P.U.T.I.N!' through extreme actions. Her previous work, 'Julia' (2016), highlights the struggles faced by a transgender sex worker. The YDB's appropriation of various symbols stimulates dialogue in Poland amidst rising ultraconservative cultural movements.