This is my new photobook “The Tender Voice of Emptiness”. The book hasn't been published yet, and I'm currently raising funds to make its release possible.
All the pictures were taken with my cellphone in Armenia during 2022 and 2023. Some of these pictures were intentionally captured as "photographs," while others were taken for Instagram stories, as reminders "not forget to ...", or simply as utilitarian shots.
I aimed to create a photography sequence reminiscent of pulp sentimental literature, where the ordinary experiences of characters are romantically exaggerated and portrayed as something extraordinary. However, I deliberately avoided focusing on the real, large-scale, and tragic events that occurred during 2022-2023. Instead, I relied on the self-organizing nature of a visual diary, allowing it to reflect the life circumstances. All events will inevitably be reflected in this “self-generated” set of images.
Seems, the main means of expression of this photo series are straightforwardness of metaphors and rhymes between adjacent frames and simplicity bordering on primitiveness. I hope that this simplicity can resonate the same way as how people can be deeply moved by primitive pop songs during difficult times in their lives. They might listen to these empty, formulaic lyrics about love, separation, longing, and death, and suddenly feel something personal, thinking, "This is about me!" However, I'm uncertain about this because this is not my personal experience, but people say that.
Dmitriy Nesmelov
31 photographs from this book were shown at the exhibition.“The Tender Voice of Emptiness” at Gallery 25, Berlin Art Hotel (2 – 23 March 2024, 25 Haghtanaki Avenue, Gyumri).
All the pictures were taken with my cellphone in Armenia during 2022 and 2023. Some of these pictures were intentionally captured as "photographs," while others were taken for Instagram stories, as reminders "not forget to ...", or simply as utilitarian shots.
I aimed to create a photography sequence reminiscent of pulp sentimental literature, where the ordinary experiences of characters are romantically exaggerated and portrayed as something extraordinary. However, I deliberately avoided focusing on the real, large-scale, and tragic events that occurred during 2022-2023. Instead, I relied on the self-organizing nature of a visual diary, allowing it to reflect the life circumstances. All events will inevitably be reflected in this “self-generated” set of images.
Seems, the main means of expression of this photo series are straightforwardness of metaphors and rhymes between adjacent frames and simplicity bordering on primitiveness. I hope that this simplicity can resonate the same way as how people can be deeply moved by primitive pop songs during difficult times in their lives. They might listen to these empty, formulaic lyrics about love, separation, longing, and death, and suddenly feel something personal, thinking, "This is about me!" However, I'm uncertain about this because this is not my personal experience, but people say that.
Dmitriy Nesmelov
31 photographs from this book were shown at the exhibition.“The Tender Voice of Emptiness” at Gallery 25, Berlin Art Hotel (2 – 23 March 2024, 25 Haghtanaki Avenue, Gyumri).
You can donate or buy a hardcopy on my Boosty page.
