Micro-Movements
Micro-Movements is a photographic series, which explores the unconscious actions that recur with individuals. The research deals with self-perception as opposed to the gaze of the other and their comprehension of the person. The main question posed is whether the movement is an integral part of a personality or an element that distorts it, drawing too much attention from the outside world. We follow several characters with their unique traits, at times shown through close-ups of body parts to focus our attention on a very specific action taken.
We speak with Ekaterina about the conception of the story and discuss the specifics of the research. Ekaterina explains that "in the process of working on the project, it turned out that it was more comfortable and easier for the participants to share their movements than to illustrate those others have." The photoshoot took a new form on set, diverging from the initial idea to perform the movements to shooting the personal micro-movements the models wanted to share. While most of the shoot is presented in black and white, color images appear in small bits to break the rhythm and highlight some moments.
Photographer Ekaterina Yanova Talents Anya Zenkovich Sasha Lavut Titus Jenia Chernovskaya Sergey Vyazmikin Clothes Kultrab
‘I became fascinated by the topic of micro-movements, which came from my personal experience. Later on, I started noticing similar micro-movements with other people.’
Let’s discuss the main idea for the story and the research of mundane human behavior.
Even though I have no professional education in the field of psychology, I have always been interested in a person’s inner nature. I became fascinated by the topic of micro-movements, which came from my personal experience. Later on, I started noticing similar micro-movements with other people. In this photographic series, I reflect on the question of whether these movements are an integral part of our personality, or on the contrary, are violating its integrity.
‘Often, movements are repeated, many bite their lips, scratch the bridge of their nose, bite the skin around their fingers, roll up their pupils, rub the earlobe, pinch their nose, rub their eyes, crack their bones.’
What interests you in the micro-movements people have as part of their personality? What are some additional micro-movements you didn’t have time to explore yet?
When starting the project, I surveyed people I know and those I’m not familiar with, questioning whether they unconsciously make any movements or small body manipulations. Unexpectedly for me, this topic had a very good response and aroused a sincere interest with a large number of respondents. Often, movements are repeated, many bite their lips, scratch the bridge of their nose, bite the skin around their fingers, roll up their pupils, rub the earlobe, pinch their nose, rub their eyes, crack their bones. But there were also rare movements, such as the hypertrophied opening of the mouth, as when a person has plugged ears; systematic patting on clothes, checking if it’s in place; movements following certain professional activities that become an everyday movement. For example, to relax leg muscles, many dancers rhythmically knock their heels on the floor, but after completing working in their profession, the habit doesn’t go away, it stays.
‘In the process of working on the project, it turned out that it was more comfortable and easier for the participants to share their movements than to illustrate those others have.’
Tell about the models you chase for the project. What were their specific parts, their movements you chose, and the direction you gave them?
Initially, I wanted to interpret the movements rather than personalize them. It seemed more ethical. But in the process of working on the project, it turned out that it was more comfortable and easier for the participants to share their movements than to illustrate those others have.
You chose to work with different contrasts of black and white and also color images. What was important for you to achieve using different contrasts and light?
The project is done in black and white, sometimes breaking the rhythm with color images. I wanted to create some sense of vibration and anxiety in the series.
Which moment from this project is most precious to you?
This project turned out to be something bigger and more important than it was originally planned. I heard various personal stories, thoughts about perception of the external world and oneself in it, about the search for behavior with one’s body. And to some extent, I started to feel more free and confident.
