Photo © Sergei Stroitelev
Experimental - NOMINEE: Sergei Stroitelev
Blue Dot
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According to statistics, about 20% of the population in Russia have an anxiety-depressive disorder, and the same percentage of the population - all the prerequisites for its development. The reasons are stress, changes in society, problems of Internet dependency and other factors.
Because of the lack of qualified care, especially in the regions, people start using serious drugs without consulting with a specialist or try to calm nerves with drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately It leads to more serious health problems. People don't understand what is happening to them and how to deal with it.
Six years ago, I was diagnosed with the disorder, since then my condition has fluctuated from a psychological pit to more or less stable, regardless of external factors. The most unpleasant thing happens when there is an exacerbation. Usually it is starting during the winter or autumn period. The disorder is very insidious, it constantly changes shape and is accompanied by a number of psychosomatic signs - it affects me physically and always in different ways, with suffocation, tachycardia and other malfunctions in the body.
The last time I was in a psychiatric hospital this winter, the doctor advised me to concentrate on the irrationality of fear, panic, anxiety experienced by me and come up with an image that will help to avoid it. I visited so many doctors in recent years and began to take so many drugs that it all only caused sarcasm, and I just forgot about it. But then I saw a blue dot in one of my dreams, a primitive, but very clear form of my favorite color. In a dream, I fell, but somehow miraculously landed on that dot, the dot ate me, and then spit back my new happy copy. Now the blue dot is an emergency exit from a state of panic, the result of the work of my will and consciousness.
About author:
Born in Leningrad, Russia 26/06/1985.
I am a freelance photographer and visual artist based in Saint-Petersburg, Russia working on a regular basis with National Geographic Russia, VICE UK, Takie Dela, Bird in Flight magazine, others.
My photographic practice primarily focuses on the exploration of the issues of modern society. With the help of different visual languages and forms I look at problems of identity of minorities, gender, health and racial prejudice, ecology and consumerism. I often execute very personal photographic projects exploring my very own inner demons, past and family.
I am the awardee of the number of international contests such as: winner of Istanbul Photo Awards 2018 in Daily Life Story category; winner of Debuts 2018 photocontest organized by Doc! Photomagazine; 3rd place at Direct Look Photocontest 2018, grand prix at Non-accidental Witness photocontest 2016; finalist of Hellerau Portraits Awards 2016, 2017; honorable mentions at Photography Grant 2016, 2017; winner of Luis Valtuena Humanitarian Photography Award 2016 granted by Doctors of the World NGO (I was developing the grant for 3 months (April - June 2017) In Reggio Calabria, Italy cooperating with the local branch of Doctors of the World NGO whilst working on the several projects dedicated to the issue of migration in that region).
I also teach photography at Fotografika academy in Saint-Petersburg.
Because of the lack of qualified care, especially in the regions, people start using serious drugs without consulting with a specialist or try to calm nerves with drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately It leads to more serious health problems. People don't understand what is happening to them and how to deal with it.
Six years ago, I was diagnosed with the disorder, since then my condition has fluctuated from a psychological pit to more or less stable, regardless of external factors. The most unpleasant thing happens when there is an exacerbation. Usually it is starting during the winter or autumn period. The disorder is very insidious, it constantly changes shape and is accompanied by a number of psychosomatic signs - it affects me physically and always in different ways, with suffocation, tachycardia and other malfunctions in the body.
The last time I was in a psychiatric hospital this winter, the doctor advised me to concentrate on the irrationality of fear, panic, anxiety experienced by me and come up with an image that will help to avoid it. I visited so many doctors in recent years and began to take so many drugs that it all only caused sarcasm, and I just forgot about it. But then I saw a blue dot in one of my dreams, a primitive, but very clear form of my favorite color. In a dream, I fell, but somehow miraculously landed on that dot, the dot ate me, and then spit back my new happy copy. Now the blue dot is an emergency exit from a state of panic, the result of the work of my will and consciousness.
About author:
Born in Leningrad, Russia 26/06/1985.
I am a freelance photographer and visual artist based in Saint-Petersburg, Russia working on a regular basis with National Geographic Russia, VICE UK, Takie Dela, Bird in Flight magazine, others.
My photographic practice primarily focuses on the exploration of the issues of modern society. With the help of different visual languages and forms I look at problems of identity of minorities, gender, health and racial prejudice, ecology and consumerism. I often execute very personal photographic projects exploring my very own inner demons, past and family.
I am the awardee of the number of international contests such as: winner of Istanbul Photo Awards 2018 in Daily Life Story category; winner of Debuts 2018 photocontest organized by Doc! Photomagazine; 3rd place at Direct Look Photocontest 2018, grand prix at Non-accidental Witness photocontest 2016; finalist of Hellerau Portraits Awards 2016, 2017; honorable mentions at Photography Grant 2016, 2017; winner of Luis Valtuena Humanitarian Photography Award 2016 granted by Doctors of the World NGO (I was developing the grant for 3 months (April - June 2017) In Reggio Calabria, Italy cooperating with the local branch of Doctors of the World NGO whilst working on the several projects dedicated to the issue of migration in that region).
I also teach photography at Fotografika academy in Saint-Petersburg.