This Delayed World Has Synchronized With My Rhythm
Daria Piskareva is a portrait and still life photographer based in Saint Petersburg. Her body of work is an in-depth research about the state of inanimate objects, long forgotten, and their connection with nature. It's a dialogue between inessential, expendable objects with nature (which appears as a background, a kind of a supporting character in this narrative).
The dialogue is transformed from a conversation about the mundane environment to the emotional storyline. Nostalgia about the past - when the objects were of importance, produced a different type of contact and usability - offers a unique experience through the eyes of a photographer.
Existential questions are posed, as what affects the human?; how does the environment relate to a person and their decisions? Capturing portraits comes as an additional element of the discourse, which might shed some light on the other side of this relationship with the world of objects. Honest, genuine, elegant - realism that is distorted through the prism of the mood and atmosphere the photographer chooses, allows a different angle and a different reality to experience.
We discuss topics such as Russian cinematography, anxieties as a result of the pandemic, the experience of nostalgia, and the way they are evoked through art and music. Daria takes us on a journey to find out about her background and the decision to relocate to Saint Petersburg. Portraits of friends and strangers Daria meets on streets of the city, photographs of still-life objects, are the themes that occupy her and lead to a pursuit of capturing the deeper relation to the expired object or a thread of intimacy between a photographer and the subject.
‘My life is pretty regular, that’s why for the first time, I feel like this delayed world has synchronized with my rhythm.’
Saint Petersburg
Hi Dasha, how are you doing? How was Saint Petersbourg affected by the pandemic?
No doubt, it's been a tough time for the city and the people. Lots of the places got shut down, some people lost their jobs and financial support. Also, self-isolation came as really depressing for some. But for me, I can't really say the pandemic has changed my life too much, really. My day job doesn't require any real creativity, so when I self-isolated, I got more time for my photography.
What have you missed the most or gained during this time?
My life is pretty regular, that’s why for the first time, I feel like this delayed world has synchronized with my rhythm. Regardless, this whole lockdown still provides enough anxiety and fears for me, just like for everybody else. But I hope for the best, that soon it will be over.
Technology From The Past
You have a series of photographs The Rudiment taken on the topic of old technology as TVsets, tape recorders, old mobile phones, VHS cameras from the 90s, all shot on a colorful background mostly in nature. Tell about this series?
I called it The Rudiment because it's about the things that eventually disappear from our everyday life, become irrelevant, or get old.
What is in the aesthetic of those plastic pieces, once used and sought after, that interests you?
Every time I saw things like that, as some dump or dusty bookshelves in my friends' houses, they invoked a warm feeling of nostalgia in me. Maybe it's just my way of reflecting on the past and coming to terms with one generation being replaced by another right before my eyes.
‘Balabanov's movies are quite grim, but what I like about them is the world of the '90s. Those were dangerous times: the rise of poverty and criminal activity. But back then, I was a kid, and during that hard time, as ironic as it may sound, it was the happiest time of my life.’
Balabanov
In several places, you refer to Balabanov’s films, and the way those echo in your work sometimes.
Balabanov's movies are quite grim, but what I like about them is the world of the '90s. Those were dangerous times: the rise of poverty and criminal activity. But back then, I was a kid, and during that hard time, as ironic as it may sound, it was the happiest time of my life, which was my childhood. I was safe from all the bad things that were happening thanks to my family.
What is your favorite film, directed by Balabanov? Why do you think it left such an impression on you?
My favorite pictures by Balabanov are Brother and Brother II. I love them for that very nostalgic element. I relate to the aesthetics of these movies, to the soundtrack. I enjoy watching either of them every time they're on.
‘I like doing portraits, but my main focus is still everyday objects. I'm interested in the everyday part of our lives and the way you can find something unique, even artistic in those things.’
Photography
Tell about your decision to start photographing objects and unfamiliar people on streets.
Regarding photographing strangers, I don't have that much experience in that field. In this country, people are quite self-conscious towards a person with a camera. If I see someone I like or their appearance and they really grab my attention, I may come up to them and ask if I can take a picture.
What are you most passionate about as a main subject in the sphere of photography?
I like doing portraits, but my main focus is still everyday objects. I'm interested in the everyday part of our lives and the way you can find something unique, even artistic in those things. This aesthetic is not intrusive, it's calm, and requires some thoughtful and careful approach.
Hometown
You grew up in a small town before deciding to move to Saint Petersbourg. Which child experiences do you think added to your values and the perspective of aesthetic in which you shoot today?
I think it's life without scurry and fuss. I believe this way of life does impact one's perceptive feel and attention for things, insignificant at first sight, but in fact so essential to our living - those little things at the backbone of life. I believe the environment does have an effect on a person.
‘I think the ability to enjoy simple things is very important. It becomes an opportunity to choose another quality of life that is more fulfilled and deeper. It won't hurt to remind yourself once in a while, how fine and worthwhile it all may be.’
Emotional Tint
The photographs you capture have a very unique color palette, which usually comes as a background to the object or a person. Those are strong colors yet in very subtle undertones. The feeling or emotions that emerge is often of a joy coming from the aesthetic juxtaposed with contemplative sadness. What would you like a person seeing your work to feel or think about?
I'd like the audience to leave behind all the fuss and to immerse into the aesthetics that our everyday life is full of. I think the ability to enjoy simple things is very important. It becomes an opportunity to choose another quality of life that is more fulfilled and deeper. It won't hurt to remind yourself once in a while, how fine and worthwhile it all may be.
Upcoming Projects
What are your plans for this year? What are you working on right now?
I'm enjoying doing photography, I'd only like to improve and get better at it. I want to keep shooting portraits of my close ones, friends, and strangers. It's always an interesting experience, and the camera is definitely a perfect tool to capture the intimacy that I appreciate. I'd also like to start selling my prints and make another zine based on the series in progress.
