In the studio: Victoria Pidust
Get to know the Berlin-based, Ukrainian photographer Victoria Pidust who walked us through her works that are part of our current exhibition Out of office. The artist shares her all-time favourite photographers, the impact of war on her work and a few of her upcoming shows in 2022.
SSM: What are you currently working on in the studio?
VP: I'm working on an installation for a group exhibition with Ukrainian artists at Gallery CRONE in Vienna, which opens on September 9 as part of the gallery festival curated by.
SSM: You have been prolifically working this past year! What shows do you have upcoming?
VP: 1. Untitled, 2022, Gallery CRONE, Vienna
2. незридані сльози | ungeborene Tränen, Galerie Judith Andreae, Bonn
3. Artist Inside Fellowship, Art Cologne 2022
SSM: As the war tragically continues in Ukraine, can you share with us some links to urgent assistance you believe we should take note of?
SSM: How has the current situation impacted or changed the direction of your work?
VP: As the Russian war against Ukraine has been taking place since 2014, I've already been feeling this tragedy for all those years. That's why I don't see a big difference in my work since the full Russian invasion in Ukraine. But I would say, not enough time has passed by to reflect on such a big aggression from our neighbours. It needs time.
SSM: 2 photographs from your iPhone zooming Series are currently part of our exhibition Out of office. How was this special series of yours born?
VP: This particular series of works was born between me living my life and traveling. It was the opportunity to have a small camera – in my iPhone – with me everywhere. Starting with the 4S model, I've being upgrading it up to the iPhone 12 now. The zooming function is a good tool for cutting out abstract pieces of reality and not being noticed by someone, as everybody has a smartphone and is taking photos everyday and everywhere. It's a good tool to be invisible and to see the world through screen.
Victoria Pidust
Untitled 37 (from the series iPhone zooming), 2021
Pigment archival print on paper
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SSM: Where do you love to be when you're not in the studio?
VP: Everywhere. I love to see a lot physically and digitally.
SSM: Do you have an all time favourite photographer?
VP: Wolfgang Tillmans, Thomas Ruff, Cindy Sherman, Wim Wenders, Boris Mikhailov, Nan Goldin, Vivian Maier and Antoine D'Agata.
SSM: What museum or art space do you love most in your adopted hometown of Berlin?
VP: Boros Collection, Hamburger Bahnhof, c/o Berlin, König Galerie, Neue Nationalgalerie, OFFICE IMPART, Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler and the Museum of Photography.
SSM: Can you tell us something we don't know about you?
VP: I didn't drink alcohol until I came to Berlin – when I was 22 years old.
SSM: If you had to describe yourself in an iconic photograph, which one would it be?
VP: Diane Arbus Identical twins, Roselle, N.J. 1966, 1966
