Prigov was hospitalized on the night of July 7 and had undergone several heart operations.
Prigov was known as a poet, artist, essayist, playwright and prose writer. He started composing verse in 1956, but was not published in Russia until 1986. However, his works were repeatedly circulated in some Russian publications abroad.
In 1986, Prigov was institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital for compulsory treatment and released only with the assistance of prominent cultural figures in and outside Russia.
Prigov also authored numerous graphic works, collages, installations and performances. He also featured as a film actor and a musician.
In the past 15 years, Prigov published over 10 collections of verses and an interview book. The poet composed over 30,000 verses, while he himself cited the figure of 36,000 in 2005.
