From the 18th of January 2021, according to the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, schoolchildren in almost all regions of Russia have returned to the in-person format of education after the COVID-19 restrictions.
Diggers are urban explorers who travel through the depths of Moscow’s storm drains and utility tunnels to discover what hides below the streets of the Russian capital. The Digger movement exploded with the invention of the Internet. The peak of this phenomenon among young people was in the 2010s, this is when people organised whole parties underground. During the pandemic it became popular again.
In one of the neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Saint Petersburg there are residents who decorate their courtyard with crafts made of improvised materials, they keep them in good state and update them from time to time.they keep them in good state and update them from time to time. This practice is very popular in small towns, where you can sometimes find animal figures made from car tyres.
Spice is a smoking mixture of herbs with the addition of synthetic substances, based on the compounds found in cannabis, and synthesised in secret laboratories for distribution in Russia and Europe. The chemical formula changes constantly, and its effect on humans is little understood.
You can find spice advertisements around the cities, phone numbers written on the walls. Adults wander by, but teenagers know you simply have to text a number to get the price, weight and how to pay, and then you’ll be told where to collect your smoke. The packets of spice are hidden in secluded spots — doorways, building sites, parks, dark corridors in old factory hostels, children’s playgrounds, and bushes.
Confidentiality is strict — no one knows anyone else by sight: neither the wholesale trafficker, nor the dealer, nor their clients. There are just numbers, nicknames, code words and signs — an imaginary, illusory world for the selected and the initiated. There are even specialised forums where young users share their experiences online.
You can find spice advertisements around the cities, phone numbers written on the walls. Adults wander by, but teenagers know you simply have to text a number to get the price, weight and how to pay, and then you’ll be told where to collect your smoke. The packets of spice are hidden in secluded spots — doorways, building sites, parks, dark corridors in old factory hostels, children’s playgrounds, and bushes.
Confidentiality is strict — no one knows anyone else by sight: neither the wholesale trafficker, nor the dealer, nor their clients. There are just numbers, nicknames, code words and signs — an imaginary, illusory world for the selected and the initiated. There are even specialised forums where young users share their experiences online.
Since 2014, wine from Crimea in Russian supermarkets has been labelled with the Russian flag.
In 2022, there was a noted increase in smokers using e-cigarettes and vapes. Vaping simulates smoking. Battery-powered vape devices create an aerosol that looks like water vapor but contains nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals. The HQD vape is the most popular amongst teenagers in Russia.
Khuy Voyne! (Russian: «Хуй войне!», English translation: “Fuck war”) is a phrase developed by former t.A.T.u. producer Ivan Shapovalov during the duo’s promotional tour in the USA in early 2003.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the phrase became an anti-war slogan (along with “No to War” — «Нет войне»), often used at protest rallies both within and outside Russia.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the phrase became an anti-war slogan (along with “No to War” — «Нет войне»), often used at protest rallies both within and outside Russia.
The Latin-script letter “Z” is one of several symbols (including “V” and “O”) painted on military vehicles of the Russian Armed Forces involved in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Z” and “V” began to appear in cities on billboards and are used on merchandise and propaganda campaigns.
On Instagram, the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) posted on the 3rd of March 2022 that the “Z” symbol is an abbreviation of the phrase “For victory” (Russian: «За победу»), while the “V” symbol stands for “Strength is in truth” («Сила в правде») and “The task will be completed” («Задача будет выполнена»).
The MoD later suggested alternative meanings for “Z”, including “For peace” («За мир»), “For truth” («За правду»), “For ours” («За наших»), and the letter “Z” in words demilitarization and denazification, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted to be the purpose of the invasion.
The MoD later suggested alternative meanings for “Z”, including “For peace” («За мир»), “For truth” («За правду»), “For ours” («За наших»), and the letter “Z” in words demilitarization and denazification, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted to be the purpose of the invasion.
In July 2022, all restrictions imposed due to the spread of the coronavirus were no longer applied in Russia.
From mid-March 2022, foreign media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter are inaccessible in the country. These social networks can only be opened using VPN.
In 2022, brands started to leave Russia. Many announced their withdrawal, but never left the Russian market. Other companies have officially left, but their products are still available due to parallel import (without manufacturer’s permission). Some brands changed their name within the country.
Vkusno i tochka (Russian: «Вкусно — и точка», English translation: “Delicious, full stop”) is a Russian fast-food chain based in former McDonald’s restaurants, with a menu that largely consists of rebranded McDonald’s products.
On the 12th of June 2022, the first restaurants opened in Moscow. For the first few months, the food was sold in original McDonald’s packaging where all logos were covered with black marker.
Vladimir Putin presented the traditional New Year’s Address to the Nation for 2023 against a backdrop of military uniformed people.
Yuliya’s grandmother transcribed Roman’s work schedule. The average monthly salary in Vladimir Oblast is 30 000 roubles (± 320 euros).
In smaller towns and villages there is an active call to volunteer for military service; mobile enrolment centres regularly come and distribute propaganda flyers. In big cities, brand advertisement on billboards has been replaced with the call to join the army.
The Eriskay Connection
(ISBN: 978-94-93363-04-5)
Control Refresh is the result of my research into the impact of political events on young people within a number of post-Soviet countries. Over the past three years I visited teenagers in remote cities in Russia and Eastern Europe. I made an extensive collection of photos of youngsters who shared their vulnerability with me, who joined me in their boredom and who told me about their dreams. The lives of these young people are strongly influenced by traditions, social media and politics.
In 2021, I made my first major photography trip across Russia. I contacted teenagers in small towns through social media and spent days (and sometimes weeks) with them. I documented their lives and surroundings with my camera. Took notes and wrote down their stories. My project was interrupted by the Russian invasion in Ukraine in 2022. I decided to include the change within my research and continued to visit my protagonists regularly.
Travelling and making images in a country like Russia became increasingly difficult, each time I didn't know if I would be able to return to the Netherlands again, as the country was closing itself off more and more from the rest of the world.
By the end of 2023, I had built up a collection of stories of youngsters in Eastern Europe, recording how their lives and choices are affected by political decisions in their countries. Without realising it, I created a time document of my own. In it, I record how a free country closes itself off from the world within a short time and how its inhabitants try to adapt to the changes.
In 2021, I made my first major photography trip across Russia. I contacted teenagers in small towns through social media and spent days (and sometimes weeks) with them. I documented their lives and surroundings with my camera. Took notes and wrote down their stories. My project was interrupted by the Russian invasion in Ukraine in 2022. I decided to include the change within my research and continued to visit my protagonists regularly.
Travelling and making images in a country like Russia became increasingly difficult, each time I didn't know if I would be able to return to the Netherlands again, as the country was closing itself off more and more from the rest of the world.
By the end of 2023, I had built up a collection of stories of youngsters in Eastern Europe, recording how their lives and choices are affected by political decisions in their countries. Without realising it, I created a time document of my own. In it, I record how a free country closes itself off from the world within a short time and how its inhabitants try to adapt to the changes.
Awards & nominations
2024
2024
Shortlist, Paris Photo-Aperture First Photobook Award
Finalist, Paris Photo: Carte Blanche Etudiants
Nominee, Redkollegia Award (May)
2023
Finalist, Castelfiorentino Prize for the Arts
Juror’s Pick, OD Photo Prize
Finalist, Paris Photo: Carte Blanche Etudiants
Winner, Fotografia Calabria Award
Finalist, Encontros da Imagem: Discovery Awards
Winner, Rotterdam Photo Festival: Best Exhibition Award
Finalist, TPF: Social Documentary Photography Awards
Partial Tuition Merit Scholarship, Chico Review
Finalist, Paris Photo: Carte Blanche Etudiants
Nominee, Redkollegia Award (May)
2023
Finalist, Castelfiorentino Prize for the Arts
Juror’s Pick, OD Photo Prize
Finalist, Paris Photo: Carte Blanche Etudiants
Winner, Fotografia Calabria Award
Finalist, Encontros da Imagem: Discovery Awards
Winner, Rotterdam Photo Festival: Best Exhibition Award
Finalist, TPF: Social Documentary Photography Awards
Partial Tuition Merit Scholarship, Chico Review
Exhibitions & festivals
2024
2024
CARTE BLANCHE ETUDIANTS, Paris Photo, Paris, FR
MUTANTX, Biennale de l’Image Possible, Liège, BE
2023
2023
CASTELFIORENTINO PRIZE, Teatro del Popolo, Castelfiorentino, IT
OD PHOTO PRIZE, Photobook Café, London, UK
EI: DISCOVERY AWARDS, Encontros da Imagem, Braga, PT
TPF: SOCIAL DOC. PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS, Photobook Café, London, UK
CTRL+R, Rotterdam Photo, Rotterdam, NL
2022
2022
NAMELESS PEOPLE, NAMELESS COUNTRY, C-LAB, Amsterdam, NL
Wilco Art Books in Amersfoort
C-LAB, Amsterdam
(solo exhibition, 2022)
Publications
2024
British Journal of Photography, Diane Smyth, 2024 Paris Photo Carte Blanche Student Winners
Takie Dela, Toma Gerzha, Generation Z
De Volkskrant, Arno Haijtema, Russische gen Z’ers vieren het leven, al dringt de oorlog zich aan alle kanten op
FK, Toma Gerzha, Control Refresh
Villamedia, Toma Gerzha, De Schepping: De Russische familiegeschiedenis van documentair fotograaf Toma Gerzha beïnvloedde haar onderwerpkeuze
2024
British Journal of Photography, Diane Smyth, 2024 Paris Photo Carte Blanche Student Winners
Takie Dela, Toma Gerzha, Generation Z
De Volkskrant, Arno Haijtema, Russische gen Z’ers vieren het leven, al dringt de oorlog zich aan alle kanten op
FK, Toma Gerzha, Control Refresh
Villamedia, Toma Gerzha, De Schepping: De Russische familiegeschiedenis van documentair fotograaf Toma Gerzha beïnvloedde haar onderwerpkeuze
Fairs
2024
TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR, Tokyo, JP
DRUK, Paradiso, Amsterdam, NL
PARIS PHOTO: PHOTOBOOK FAIR, Paris, FR
POLYCOPIES, Paris, FR
ANTWERP ACADEMY ART BOOK FAIR, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, BE
UNSEEN: PHOTOBOOK FAIR, Amsterdam, NL
BREDAPHOTO FESTIVAL: BOOKSHOP, Breda, NL
2023
FORMAT23: THE PERFORMING PHOTOBOOK, Derby Museum on The Wardwick, Derby, UK
2024
TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR, Tokyo, JP
DRUK, Paradiso, Amsterdam, NL
PARIS PHOTO: PHOTOBOOK FAIR, Paris, FR
POLYCOPIES, Paris, FR
ANTWERP ACADEMY ART BOOK FAIR, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, BE
UNSEEN: PHOTOBOOK FAIR, Amsterdam, NL
BREDAPHOTO FESTIVAL: BOOKSHOP, Breda, NL
2023
FORMAT23: THE PERFORMING PHOTOBOOK, Derby Museum on The Wardwick, Derby, UK
Photography + text: Toma Gerzha
Text editing: Sophie Macleod
Design: Rob van Hoesel
Lithography: Marc Gijzen
Print + binding: Wilco Art Books
Publisher: The Eriskay Connection
www.eriskayconnection.com
Distribution: Idea Books
www.ideabooks.nl
Edition: 1.200
ISBN: 978-94-93363-04-5
Supported by Jaap Harten Fonds and Het Cultuurfonds.
Text editing: Sophie Macleod
Design: Rob van Hoesel
Lithography: Marc Gijzen
Print + binding: Wilco Art Books
Publisher: The Eriskay Connection
www.eriskayconnection.com
Distribution: Idea Books
www.ideabooks.nl
Edition: 1.200
ISBN: 978-94-93363-04-5
Supported by Jaap Harten Fonds and Het Cultuurfonds.