Not like everyone else: a new generation in Russia in the works of a Dutch photographer

A Dutch photographer with Russian roots Pavel Prokopchik takes pictures of the lives of Others.

Author's comment: "There is in People in Russia are not like everyone else. They prefer an alternative lifestyle. Far from politics and a society driven only by materialism. As for me, there can be no more positive story than the story of free-thinking people who voluntarily deny a comfortable lifestyle and a life focused on passion for things, especially in a country squeezed between a society under constant control and capitalism.

Some of these people survive on the sale of illegal substances, not wanting to work in an office from 9 to 18, where they still pay little. Some people separate work and life and refuse advertising in order not to get involved in the corporate world. This is not the hippies of the 60s or even the Beat generation, even though some of them inherited the spirit of Dean Moriarty from Kerouac's book On the Road. This is a new generation that is still looking for salvation from the shackles of our society."

Text: Anna Nebykova, one of the heroines of the photo project

1. In the world order flying to hell, they want to remain neutral. This planet has got too many good intentions. It seems better to abandon any actions now. Revolution is impossible, we are too lazy. Thanks to Coca-Cola and marijuana.

2. In ancient times, people were divided by belonging to the genus and territories, now — by adherence to ideas. Descendants from the tribe borrowed a lot from their ancestors: hairstyles (dreadlocks, mohawks), tattoos, piercings, natural materials, colors and patterns for clothes and jewelry (leather, suede, fur, bone, wood, feathers).

3. After all, we are dealing with a sect. Someone calls us hippies, someone calls us hipsters. There are a lot of labels. The word "esoteric", for example, has already become abusive: "schizoteric" (schizoteric) in the tribe is also enough. Artists are everywhere. The creators of "nothing". They nurse stalkers through the ruins of the once real and serious world, turning his greetings into a joke.

4. Life in the city takes a lot of effort, not only material, but also mental. It is unlikely that you could see someone from the tribe in the office. Except before the appeal. Then where do they get the money? Here Babylon opens up space for imagination. Many, for example, sell themselves, some - drugs.

5. Representatives of the tribe usually live in rented apartments in communes, in psychedelic—stained interiors, less often in abandoned houses.

6. Tribesmen usually move by land transport, once again slowly going underground. Have you ever seen escalators and subway crossings during rush hour? Crowds of biorobots in black. Now, it's not us. Have you seen painted cyclists, scooters, motorcyclists or maybe drivers a la "magic bus" minivans? It's getting closer.

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8. The "tribe" spends half its life on the road. The world is great. Meeting kind people who speak different languages on their travels, making new acquaintances, the tribe erases the boundaries drawn by it is not clear who, it is not clear why. People with a bad sense of humor. Well, or those who got up at 6 a.m. all their lives and liked to talk about norms.

9. We understand that the world is really one. All boundaries are in the heads. Although someone prefers to travel at home without getting up from the couch, daily with a little help from my friends. This is an option, in case it was not possible to dump in Asia for the winter. The need for a minimum of comfort and things helps a lot when traveling.

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11. If we get a chance, we will not play ascetics and with great pleasure we will lie in the bathroom by candlelight with champagne and caviar sandwiches.

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13. Our tribe is diverse. Seemingly polar subcultures of vegans and ardent meat eaters under one roof are a normal phenomenon. Although sometimes there are problems with understanding, but we are learning. The main thing here is awareness and respect. And yes, glory to Spiritual Prostitution!

14. Returning to the roots, living in nature, cultivating your own food (as it is difficult to trust something in this supermarket) — ideas are in the air.

15. These people are running / planning to escape from the gray dusty-not-to-breathe labyrinths of the city. Looking at its intricate facades covered with mold, moss and soot, inhaling its dirty scents, unfortunately, nothing comes to mind except the word "decomposition". Ulcers on the body of the planet. And people are like a virus that set out to confirm that the experiment failed. But even a city can be beautiful. Sometimes you just want to push the responsibility for your life onto someone else. And just to be included in what is happening through observation.

16. With age, he is increasingly drawn into the role of old farts, a fact. I want to talk less and less. If you want to change the world, start with yourself. The space is open. The development of the plot is limited only by the death of the author. Well, or his transformation into another story. We work out the character, trying on long-prescribed roles on our skin, tasting sensations and emotions, growing up, changing. We are always in motion, dreaming of peace.

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