via Russian artist who mocked Mugabe describes fleeing Zim | SW Radio by Alex Bell January 16, 2014
A Russian artist who caused uproar among the ZANU PF loyal security forces over a song that mocks Robert Mugabe, has described fleeing possible arrest last week.
Petro Wodkins, a well known modern artist and performer, was last year invited to be part of the 2014 Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA).
“Probably they’re thinking I’m kind of artist who’s against the western world. So when I got this, I decided to make a project against Robert Mugabe,” Wodkins told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday.
Wodkins designed and built a large, gold painted ‘musical’ statue of himself blowing trumpets, wired to play a song produced by the artist too. The song, which Wodkins has released with a video this week, mocks Mugabe for being “bad for Zimbabwe.”
“Well I sent them (HIFA) a picture of the statue and the song, and then they refused to allow me in the show,” Wodkins explained, saying the HIFA officials withdrew their invitation because of the “nature” of his artwork.
“But I decided to go to Zimbabwe anyway and give my statue as a gift,” Wodkins said.
The artist travelled to the country last week and originally planned to set up the musical statue in Unity Square. But the plans changed when he realised “it would only last 30 seconds.” He instead decided to take the statute on a road trip across Zimbabwe, with hidden cameras in tow to film a video.
“I went around Zimbabwe, around villagers and markets and showed it to people and played the song, and just have some fun,” Wodkins explained.
He said the reaction from ordinary Zimbabweans was very positive, saying: “I only had maybe four complaints. Most people really loved it, and danced and had lots of fun.”
The artist eventually decided to leave the statue on Robert Mugabe road, and within five minutes police and army officials had been dispatched to tear the statue down. Wodkins said the statue was completely destroyed, along with the hidden camera that was discovered after the authorities searched the area.
A manhunt was then launched for Wodkins, but he managed to flee the security forces and leave the country before being caught.
“I did this as a reminder to the world of what such a dictator Robert Mugabe is. We should be reminding people about him, because right now he is seen just as a nice old man, but he’s not really,” Wodkins said.
COMMENTS
It was not necessary it has no impact fight for yourself Russia is equally unfree
This is drivel. To leave Russia for such a senseless exercise?
Rubbish
kkkkk. Thanks Wodkins. Mugabe is such a murderous dictator. Kamuzu Banda 2!
Thanx for showcasing our plight to the outside world.
The guilty are afraid! Mugabe and is A?? lickers are afraid. I wonder why they are so afraid. If there is nothing to fear why make the country a police/military state. Yes Zimbabwe is a failed police state.
Nonsense Russia is wase thana Zim
Well done, Petro catchy number and oh so true. Hope you sent TIM a copy.
Well done Petro, we share your concerns and love of art, some people are just negative always, shame on them. Hope to see you again when we are finally free from dictatorship!!