"Communism and its fall had a worldwide impact, but none felt the changes more than the previously Soviet states."

Artist: Nick Hannes
Project: Red Journey

Selfpublished by Lannoo

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"In 2007 and 2008, Belgian photographer Nick Hannes set off on a road trip by bus and train across the 15 former Soviet republics looking for traces of the past and signs of transition. It resulted in his debut photobook ‘Red Journey’ that includes intense photography of a developing region full of contrasts: extreme wealth amidst poverty; and golden statues of new dictators in cities of concrete. It shows how much change has already occurred and how much is still to come."

 

 

"While a minority has succeeded in reaching "The Good Life", much of the population in the shattered Soviet empire has long abandoned the lofty expectations that stirred in 1991. Freedom and independence have their price. What was once the Soviet Union is now the home of extremes, a barrel of contrasts. An uncertain present balances between nostalgia for the past and hope for the future. Life flows by. Society evolves, even if the direction is not always discernible. Transition is pliable concept. In a coffee house is the Moldavian capital Chisinau I asked press photographer Nicolae Pojoga how long he thought the transition phase would last in his country. He laughed bitterly and answered frankly: "Nothing is more persistent than the temporary"."

 

 

© Nick Hannes published by Lannoo

Editor : Ecaterina Rusu

Nick Hannes (°1974) is a documentary photographer based in Belgium. His photography reflects on major contemporary themes such as migration, globalization, urbanization and crisis. Nick published 5 books and regularly exhibits at international photography festivals. He received a Magnum Photography Award in 2017 and a World Press Photo Award in 2023. Nick has taught documentary photography at KASK/The School of Arts in Ghent, Belgium since 2018. He is represented by Panos Pictures in London.