Wry photos that turn stereotypes upside down

Artist Uldus Bakhtiozina uses photographs to poke fun at societal norms in her native Russia. A glimpse into Russian youth culture and a short, fun reminder not to take ourselves too seriously.

Good afternoon.

My name is Uldus.

I am a photo-based artist from Russia.

I started my way around six years ago

with ironic self-portraits

to lay open so many stereotypes

about nationalities, genders,

and social issues —

["I am Russian. I sell drugs, guns, porno with kids!"]
["Vodka = water. I love vodka!"] (Laughter) —

using photography as my tool to send a message.
["Marry me, I need a visa."]

Today, I am still performing in front of the camera

and trying to be brave like Wonder Woman.

I focus on balancing meaningful message,

aesthetic, beauty, composition,
some irony, and artifacts.

Today, I'm going to tell you about my project,

which is named Desperate Romantics.

They're my artifacts, or paintings

from pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood England

mid-19th century.

I took the painting

and gifted new, contemporary meaning

talking about issues which are surrounding me

in Russia,

capturing people who are non-models

but have an interesting story.

This boy is a professional dancer,

only 12 years old,

but at secondary school, he hides his dancing classes

and is wearing the mask of brutality,

trying to be united with the rest of his classmates

like a storm trooper has no personality.

But this boy has goals and dreams

but hides it to be socially accepted,

because being different isn't easy,

especially in Russia.

Next portrait interpretation is metaphoric.

And this is Nikita,

a security guard from one of the bars

in St. Petersburg.

He likes to say, "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry,"

quoting Hulk from the movie,

but I've never seen him angry.

He hides his sensitivities and romantic side,

because in Russia, among guys,

that's not cool to be romantic,

but it's cool to be surrounded with women

and look like an aggressive hulk.

(Laughter)

Sometimes, in my project,

I would take the painting

and give it new meaning

and new temptation about it.

Sometimes, I would compare facial features

and playing with words:

irony, Iron Man, ironing man.

(Laughter)

Through the artifacts,

I bring social issues

which surround me in Russia into the conversation.

Interesting fact about marriage in Russia,

that most of the 18, 19-year-old girls

are already ready, and dream to get married.

We're taught from childhood,

successful marriage means successful life,

so most of the girls kind of fight

to get a good husband.

And what about me?

I'm 27 years old.

For Russian society, I'm an old maid

and hopeless to ever get married.

That's why you see me in a Mexican fighter mask,

in the wedding dress, all desperate in my garden.

But remember, irony is the key,

and this is actually to motivate girls

to fight for goals, for dreams,

and change stereotypes.

Be brave. Be ironic — it helps.

Be funny and create some magic.

(Applause)