Maria Ionova-Gribina

Fathers

Maria Ionova-Gribina’s project researches the self-identification of modern Russian men through fatherhood. It includes an element of performance. The artist invites childless men to be photographed (the only requirements are that models be adult and childless), but does not tell them the theme or the conditions of the shoot. Maria introduces the volunteer to her children and asks him to imagine that they are his children. What could he do together with them? How would he like to be photographed with ‘his’ children? The photographer looks in to the conscious and unconscious behaviour of men in front of the camera. Will he refuse to be photographed? Will he feel at ease or restricted? To what extent does his body language reflect his psychological state?

Irina Tolkacheva