In this issue, we’re celebrating Defiance in all its raw, subversive glory – from acts of quiet dissent and open rebellion to people who defy conventions (and the expectations of others) to prove that there are endless ways to live your life.
We’ll hear stories of renegades hellbent on change who aren’t afraid to ‘step outta line.’ From the Kurdish female fighters taking on the Islamic State to anti-Putin performance artist punks. From the skateboarders of Ulaanbaatar who refuse to grow up to the Brooklyn woman who’s revolutionising porn.
Join us as we plot a jagged line across the globe, and meet these voices of rebellion along the way:
Kurdish Female Fighters. Photo by Newsha Tavakolian / Magnum Photos.
Kurdish Female Fighters: The feminist army taking on Isis – and gaining ground. But what’s driving young women to take up arms on the frontline, knowing they may never return?
Henry Rollins: Former Black Flag frontman-turned-master of the spoken word on defiance, reinvention and his workaholic fire.
Pussy Riot. Photo by Denis Sinyakov.
Pussy Riot and Russian Resistance: A conversation about rebellion under Putin’s gaze. Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova joins Oksana Shalygina, the wife of performance artist and activist Pyotr Pavlensky, who’s in prison after setting fire to what was once the KGB’s front door.
Brussels Skate Utopia: The Paris attacks put Brussels at the centre of Europe’s debate on immigration, throwing up some heated questions. Is failed integration radicalising teens? But at Ursulines skatepark a refreshing counterpoint is thriving, as kids from all backgrounds skate together in peace.
Roller Derby Beirut. Photo by Tamara Abdul Hadi.
Roller Derby Beirut: These women aren’t just pioneers; they’re the architects of a new kind of future.
Beyond Binary: Personal stories that push beyond the gender binary to prove that life doesn’t play out in shades of pink and blue.
Longboards for Guns: Against the backdrop of a growing gun epidemic, one community in California is trying to defy the stats with a unique ‘BuyBack’ initiative that aims to get firearms off the streets. Hand in a gun, get a longboard in return. But are they fighting a losing battle?
Mongolia Skate. Photo by Bejan Siavoshy.
Mongolia Skate: Meet the firebrand skaters of Ulaanbaatar, the world’s coldest capital, as they defy the odds to make skateboarding a viable dream.
PLUS…
Kano: He made a name for himself in London’s grime community, but Kano refuses to be defined by any one genre.
Molly Crabapple: Artist, activist, gonzo journalist, Molly Crabapple has reported from inside Guantanamo Bay armed with nothing but ink and an eye for moral justice.
Akala. Photo by Olivia Bohac.
Akala: The UK rapper, who practises what he preaches, on the limits of leading a socially conscious life.
MacKenzie Peck: The Brooklyn woman who’s sticking it to sleazy San Fernando execs by making fun and ethical ‘real good porn’.
Regencia Viva. Photo by Guilio Paletta.
Regência Viva: A toxic mudslide across Brazil is no match for these ocean-loving activists.
Rwanda SafeMotos: Motorcycle accidents are claiming lives across the African continent, but these Kigali entrepreneurs have developed a life-saving app.
How To Make It On Your Own: Advice from the frontlines of creative culture, featuring Doomed Gallery in London and Horses Records in Vancouver.
And more…
Subscribe today to make sure you never miss another issue. Buy Huck 54 – The Defiance Issue in the Huck Shop now.
You might like
Inside Lower Duck Pond, the nicest town on the internet
/r/HaveWeMet — With a population of 2,500 and no fixed location, the subreddit is a space for roleplaying citizens to solve mysteries, host fictional events and ultimately connect. In an internet that’s often divided and toxic, Vicky Jessop hangs out in one of its most wholesome corners.
Written by: Vicky Jessop
A major Nan Goldin exhibition is coming to London
You Never Did Anything Wrong — Opening at the Hayward Gallery in November, the show will debut a new film from the artist and activist, alongside a slate of recent work.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
Sepia splashed memories of Britain’s ’90s squatting and free party scene
Bygones — Moving into a Hackney squat at the age of 19, Tom Hunter spent years living on London’s edges, while documenting the vibrant, creative community and culture that it enabled. Huck’s art director Sam White chats to him about the freedom that existed, the collectivism and what’s been lost over the decades since.
Written by: Samuel White
A melancholic portrait of youth, rebellion and womanhood in Iran
And They Laughed At Me — Newsha Tavakolian has worked as a photographer all her adult life, as Iran underwent change, upheaval and conflict. Her new photobook explores the formative years of her eye and art amid generational strife, hope and disappointment.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The real life mermaids of Florida’s Weeki Wachee Springs
Old Florida — A relic of pre-Disney tourism in the state, the show – which sees women perform athletic underwater tricks in a natural spring – has been running since 1947. Jack Burke attends, while reflecting on the fragility and fantasy of old America.
Written by: Jack Burke
The intricate, clandestine art of Japan’s traditional tattoos
Irezumi — Having emerged during the Edo Period centuries ago, inking skin has long been associated the country’s working class, and particularly Yakuza. A new book by Manami Okazaki explores the history and deep meaning of the practice, as well as the horishi who dedicate their lives to the needle.
Written by: Isaac Muk
