I started my way around six years ago with ironic self-portraits to lay open so many stereotypes about nationalities, genders, and social issues.

こんにちは

(Laughter)

私はユルドゥス

Using photography as my tool to send a message.

ロシア出身で 主に写真を扱うアーティストです

Today, I am still performing in front of the camera and trying to be brave like a Wonder Woman.

この道に進んだのは ６年ほど前で

I focus on balancing meaningful message, aesthetic, beauty, composition, some irony, and artifacts.

風刺をきかせた セルフポートレートを通して

Today, I'm going to tell you about my project, which named "Desperate Romantics".

国籍やジェンダーや 社会問題に関する —

They're my artifacts, or paintings from pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood England mid-19th century.

様々なステレオタイプを

I took the painting and give it new, contemporary meaning,

明らかにしてきました

talking about issues which surround me in Russia,

[私はロシア人　子供と 麻薬や銃やポルノを売る！] [ウォッカ＝水　ウォッカ大好き！]（笑）

capturing people who are non-models but have an interesting story.

写真を使ってメッセージを伝えます [結婚して ビザが必要なの]

This boy is a professional dancer, only 12 years old,

今日もカメラの前で 役を演じながら

but at secondary school, he hides his dancing classes and is wearing the mask of brutality.

ワンダーウーマンみたいに 勇敢になろうとしています

trying to be united with the rest of his classmates like a storm trooper who has no personality.

私が神経を使うのは バランスをとることです

But this boy has goals and dreams, but hides it to be socially accepted,

豊かなメッセージ 美学 美しさ ちょっとした風刺 作品のバランスです

because being different isn't easy, especially in Russia.

今日は私の作品について お話しします

Next portrait interpretation is metaphoric.

『絶望するロマン主義たち』という タイトルです

And this is Nikita, a security guard from one of the bars in St. Petersburg.

これは私が手がけた作品で

He likes to say, "You won't like me in anger," quoting Hulk from the movie,

19世紀中頃 イギリスの ラファエル前派の絵画を

but I've never seen him angry.

もとにしています

He hides his sensitivities and romantic soul,

この絵画を取り上げて

because in Russia, among guys, that's not cool to be romantic,

新たに現代的な意味を与え

but it's cool to be surrounded with women and look like an aggressive Hulk.

ロシアに住む私を 取り巻く問題について

Sometimes, in my project, I would take the painting and give it new meaning and new temptation about it.

伝えようとしました

Sometimes, I would compare facial features and playing with words: irony, Iron Man, ironing man.

撮影したのは モデルではなく

Through the artifacts, I bring social issues which surround me in Russia into the conversation.

面白いストーリーを 持つ人達です

Interesting fact about marriage in Russia is that most of the 18, 19-year-old girls are already ready, and dream to get married.

この少年はまだ12才ですが

We're taught from childhood, successful marriage means successful life,

プロのダンサーです

so most of the girls kind of fight to get a good husband.

でも中学生の時は ダンスを習っていることを隠して

And what about me? I'm 27 years old.

わざと乱暴に振る舞うことで

For Russian society, I'm an old maid and hopeless to ever get married.

周りのクラスメイトに とけ込もうとしました

That's why you see me in a Mexican fighter mask, in the wedding dress, all desperate in my garden.

ストームトルーパーが 個性をもたないのと似ています

But remember, irony is the key,

彼には夢も目標もあるけれど

and this is actually to motivate girls to fight for goals, for dreams, and change stereotypes.

彼の社会で認められるために 隠しているのです

Be brave. Be ironic — it helps.

他人と違うのは 楽なことではありません

Be funny and create some magic!

ロシアでは特にそうです