Hippies of the 21st century

For his photography project "Back to the Garden" Steve Davis chose only one criterion: he photographed exclusively those people who consider themselves hippies of the 21st century. Having selected the appropriate characters for the project, he made bright portraits against a white background, as if his characters were saints. Despite the completely different past and present of these people, each of them in modern realities was able to connect with the philosophy and lifestyle of the hippie movement. Davis' photo project reflects the idea that hippie culture is anachronistic and, on the other hand, proves that this movement is still alive today.

(Total 10 photos)

1. Meloni, 20, mother/student.

“I am a mother of two children. Diapers, breastfeeding and natural parenting are all familiar to me. I try to take care of the environment and use the resources we have wisely. If only I had a garden! I would really like to live outside the city, grow my own food and raise poultry. In my spare time, I like to crochet."

2. John, 37 years old, tattoo artist.

“My spirituality is psychedelic, I go barefoot and wear long dreadlocks. I've hitchhiked thousands of miles, danced under the stars at electronic music festivals, soaked in hot springs. I live in a Jeep, I drive around the West Coast, and now I'm staying in Santa Cruz in a commune camp with representatives of the wonderful Free Spirit Who Loves Life movement.

3. Jory, 25, pizza chef and builder.

“I believe that the earth is alive, it is full of wisdom, it deserves respect and love. And we can consider ourselves completely lost if we cannot get to know her better.

4. John, 40 years old, professor.

“Usually I don’t openly declare to others that I am a hippie, although I hope that they themselves notice it. After all, it's like saying that you are smart or enlightened. Perhaps people accept me as a 21st century hippie because I care about our Earth, animals, plants, people and social justice. I make important decisions, mostly relying on my conscience, not my wallet. I also try not to let other people's opinions influence me."

5. Eleanor, 28, student/artist.

"I'm a 21st century hippie because I fully support the counterculture and live the gypsy lifestyle."

6. Jennifer, 31, model/musician

“I have successfully defied social norms and rules to follow my dreams. I give myself completely to art, even if it may leave me without a home, starve or even die.”

7. Alex, 19 years old, cook.

“Instability and distortion of ideas hang over humanity. Because of this, we are scared and feel lonely. I try not to let fear stifle my opinion of this beautiful planet that welcomes us so well (and instead we harm it like locusts). I try not to let fear obscure my smile. Fill your life with love, and then we will all become golden.”

8. Laura, 22, student/tattoo artist.

"As cliché as it sounds, I believe in love and world peace."

9. Paul, 22, student/musician.

“From the hippie culture, I took everything that I consider significant and combined it with my own values, which, of course, were influenced by the fact that I grew up in the 21st century. Living in a commune is one aspect of hippie culture that I love to support. The technologies of the 21st century provide us with a sea of opportunities and information that can help our generation achieve its goal, in particular, to know what the rest of the people in the world are doing. This gives communities the opportunity to communicate on anything from food to music. Technologies such as the Internet also allow us to share our ideas and aspirations with the world, and improve mutual understanding between people.”

10. Jackie, 26, artist/student/barista.

“I consider myself a hippie of the 21st century because I do everything to live my life, relying on my so far modest knowledge received from others.”