Photo by Ilya Nodia
In September 2019, Sherwin-Williams announced its 2020 Color of the Year as rich navy Naval (SW 6244).
In August 2020, Russian politician and Anti Corruption Foundation founder Alexey Navalny fell into a coma due to the poisoning of his navy blue underwear. Alexey has recovered and returned to the politics which outraged the official Moscow and Vladimir Putin personally.
The level of confrontation has risen. Investigation (English subs) by Bellingcat and Insider pointed to Russian FSB (The Federal Security Service) as the one behind Alexey’s poisoning. Alexey’s Anti Corruption Foundation released a video on gaudy palace and it quickly scored over a hundred millions of views. Alexey and his team faced a number of trials. At a parody hearing Alexey was sentenced to detention at the infamous Matrosskaya Tishina prison to be followed by a penalty colony for 2,5 years. Mass protests over hundreds of cities worldwide were followed by fines, arrests and searches and seizures.
The back side of the painting
I myself am a part of this activism. For over ten years I serve on a local Election Commission and provided consulting to OVD-Info, a human rights organization in Russia helping victims of the regime.
In 2013 I met Alexey in person while assisting his team with the analytics during Moscow Mayor election campaign, a job I was recommended for by my friends. Later, I’ve spent some years working as a fact checker at the Anti Corruption Foundation. In 2020, a few people I personally know were arrested; there was a search and seizure at a home where live 3 generations of my close friends I’ve visited countless number of times.
Sadly, I’m a poor photographer. Even advised by a professional I failed to render the navy blue on the shot true to the painting. But the briefs are cut from an authentic Sherwin-Williams color chip.
And also the ability to show your underwear is the sure sign of superhero. Alexey — Super-N!
