Satellite Voices

Moscow

Anastasia Rudenko

June 14, 2011

The young photographer discusses coming up through Russian culture

• Text by Kemal Tarba

Anastasia Rudenko’s evocative photography series are a visual journey to those parts of Russia a lot of people either don’t know or ignore. Her “Visual Dictionary of Russia” – as Anastasia calls it herself, presents the audience such visceral stories with a verve that very few artists capable of.   

Satellite Voices: What are advantages and disadvantages of being a young photographer in Russia?
Anastasia Rudenko: The biggest problem among young Russian photographers is the lack of educational basis and photographic institutions. Young Russian photographers are different in their authenticity, we must independently 'invent' something that has been invented long before us. And, of course, the problem is the lack of professional future especially for photojournalism and documentary photography, in Russia there is virtually no publishing, where this photography is demanded. 

I often hear from my oversea friends, who are documentary photographers, complaints about the problem with the choice of topics due to the small number of social problems and strong competition, so they go to Africa or Asia. Russian young photographers do not have to go anywhere. Once Garry Winogrand said that if you do not know what to shoot, go to the zoo. So Russia - is a giant zoo - this is our biggest advantage!

SV: What makes your photography style special?
Anastasia Rudenko: I do not think that I have already found my certain style but I am currently in a search, and I have certain tendencies, which I'm trying to stick to. I hunt for unique situations or emotions, I want to surprise and amaze the audiences, often I try to add a critical context, sometimes ironic. At this stage concerning the visual style, I can say this: direct view, 35mm, flashy colours.

SV: How do you describe photography as a creative approach?
Anastasia Rudenko: It is a real happiness when a person loves his profession. My whole life I was passionate about mathematics, but recently photography became my destiny, and I would like to achieve harmony in it.