This mini investigation explores our natural inquisitiveness about people and their personal space. When we meet a person at a certain point we begin to wonder where and how he or she lives. The reverse situation is also true: we see a room and intuitively try to understand who dwells in it. We imagine to ourselves the owner of this space, draw an imaginary portrait and then compare the expected with the reality.

Russian life draws a sharp boundary between personal and communal spaces. Russians are used to this contrast, but it can confuse the unprepared foreigner. To paraphrase Mikael Epshtein, we can way that the borderlines between “public” and “private” spaces are distorted compared to the usual European standards (categories): “the first is much harsher and colder, and the last is warmer and heartier”.

In this project I wanted to get behind the closed doors of Russian houses, to become an insider. On the one hand it was important for me to take a maximally abstract picture of the room’s interior, and on the other hand I wanted to emphasize the connection between the person and the place where he or she spends a significant part of their time.

WELCOME!

Winter Workdays of a Hunter (+Audio)	Young Snail Enthusiast (+Audio)	More than a Scholar (+Audio)
Garage Workshop	When the World is so Young…	Occupation? Migrant worker.
British by Birth, Orthodox by Confession	A Strict Building Guard (+Audio)	Almost Russian
My House is My Planet (+Audio)	The Dreamer (+Audio)	Countryside Liberty (+Audio)
The Carefree Life of a Law Student	Soviet Economist	Pigeons
Retired Chemist	Watermelon Seller	Speech Therapist
The Brit	Police Officer	Resident Hippy
Russian Skvo	Young Tartar	Assistant Professor
Younger Sister	College Graduate	School Girl
Free Artist	Vet Student	Neglecting Moscow
The End of Career	Tadjik Worker	A Close Family
New Home	A Young Footballer	American Dream
Apple Trees	–	–