Behind the Snow
Arkhangelsk region is located in the Northern Russia and has the most number of abandoned villages in the country. The extinction of the villages happened for the economical reasons. After the collapse of the USSR in 1992 all the farms and big factories were shut down. The youth left to the big cities in search for working opportunities whereas old people began to die.
In 2021-22 I have found 10 villages in Arkhangelsk region inhabited by only one person. The characters of the project live alone on the land in which they have grown roots, finding motivation to move forward in memories, songs or alcohol. These people have witnessed several epochs which turned their land into oblivion. Despite ascetic conditions the last residents do not want to leave the native villages saying they have been born here and here they would die.
The current project reveals real Russian mentality which is hidden behind the snow and displays what happened to the country after the collapse of the USSR.
In 2021-22 I have found 10 villages in Arkhangelsk region inhabited by only one person. The characters of the project live alone on the land in which they have grown roots, finding motivation to move forward in memories, songs or alcohol. These people have witnessed several epochs which turned their land into oblivion. Despite ascetic conditions the last residents do not want to leave the native villages saying they have been born here and here they would die.
The current project reveals real Russian mentality which is hidden behind the snow and displays what happened to the country after the collapse of the USSR.