PIONEERS PALACE

Anton Polyakov photographs the youth culture of Transnistria. A truly honest visual diary of the human creativity, which rises from a disillusion territory. The language in the story telling, as well as the aesthetic of the young transnistria photographer evoke the same emotions as the visual diaries of forever favorites August Sander and Nan Goldin.

For 27 years, Transnistria - a narrow strip of land between Ukraine and Moldova, a length of about 125 miles - has the status of an unrecognized state. The heroes of my story are young people who were born and grew up on this territory. I belong to this generation myself, as I am the same age as Transnistria. The heroes of my story are young people who were born and grew up on this territory. I belong to this generation myself, as I am the same age as Transnistria. The official culture, promoted by the authorities, is often boring and not interesting to young people who were formed in the era of the Internet. They are not limited by the borders of one state and have the opportunity to form their own cultural identity, including by observing their peers from other countries.

In Soviet times, the Palace of Pioneers was called a place where teenagers could find their favorite occupation, a section circle of their own interest. In my story this is a figurative concept. Young people independently form their own sections or circles on interests, and the urban environment and the Internet space are used as a platform for the self-expression of young generation.
 

Words & Photography
Anton Polyakov