GUYS AS WE ARE. IT’S WORTH LIVING!
The epidemic of HIV started thirty years ago. The new disease was called “gay-associated immune deficiency” and the first person who officially died of AIDS was gay. Some societies still associate two terms as equal ones – “gay” and “HIV-positive”. Naturally, gay can be HIV positive just like heterosexual individuals and this has nothing to do with something supernatural – a human have got a chronic disease. However, the images prevalent in the society and tight links between homosexuality and HIV infection have fuelled the homophobic tendencies and set forth new challenges for the gay community. A correct response to that would be to concentrate on development of social tolerance at all levels: society in general, interpersonal and directed at personality from within.
Thus, Russian photographers have joined together to show that homophobia is nothing in comparison to the beauty of a man. Is it possible not to notice or even hate the beauty of a man? NO! – is the response of the project “LaSky” and photographers: Seva Galkin, Alex Bego, Elena Mayorova, Max Orlov, Ruslan
Elquest and Arseniy Kuncevich who provided their artwork for the project “Guys as we are. It’s worth living!” The artists will provide a completely new look at men: they are strong and beautiful; they love each other. The photographers look at them through the “camera which is in love” Anyone who looks through that camera will become at least a little bit tolerant to those around them.
Elena Mayorova
We discuss how bad are those women who are like men … We agree that a man is supposed to be a man… Who we are to judge, to tell them who should a man look like? Where does it come from? Who is normal? And why do we think that being different is outrageous? Boys. Most beautiful boys. And this one has eyes and he smiles so nice… and so on and so forth. And it became a profession … I have seen so many of them… and the distance has been erased naturally. Many of the models became my friends and have not disappeared from my live and are always within reach. Young, beautiful, fragile and more often thin and if not feminine then soft and tender from inside. Not yet a grown men but already not boys. Supernaturally beautiful. Perhaps, these limitless questions to them, physical pressure at the dark sides of the street will make them look more male and brutal, but they will remain the same inside. This is simply a different breed of different quality. They are comfortable with being who they are. These photos and videos will migrate from one girl to another… and when they meet, people will melt even when judging after first words.
Ruslan (Elquest) thoughts about my photographs and gay community in general:
-Gay community in modern Russian society is facing a number of barriers in the process of its development. Resistance and intolerance from the general public lay a footprint of inevitability and pessimism on any young man who realized that his sexual orientation does not coincide with expectations of the society. Under these circumstances, the positive moments of gay culture that happen not so often become more valuable. Through my photographs I try to show life in bright colors. Sometimes the colors that I use are a bit too much and seem far from reality but they are used to create the image of beautiful and confident
young men who accept self identification the way they are, the way nature created them.
Seva Galkin about beauty within a man:
- Industry of commercials, advertisement and fitness brings a lot complexes to human beings. Some can start experiencing complexes by looking at my photos. On the other hand – it is a good start to change yourself. To my viewers, I would like to give a thought that they can and should strive for self perfection.
Generally, people have started to be more tolerant. More and more often we receive letters from heterosexual people who wish to appear on the cover of “KVIR” magazine. They are not lost at the fact that the magazine is gay-oriented. Personally, I never ask my models of their orientation. They are all equal to
me. I am interested in the esthetics but not their private life. I am against the idea where gays live in self reservation and have no contacts with the outside world - “the world of heterosexuals”. It is time to stop abstracting oneself from the surrounding environment and then a number of problems, including “internal
homophobia”, will be eliminated
Exhibition visitors speak out (2009):
Oleg Ch., St. Petersburg. : «Bisexuality is a long known phenomenon”. A young man absorbing the information tries to follow the images formed in his mind – a normal guy which results in a number of complexes… In order to be tolerant to oneself one would have to overcome the stereotypes on which he was brought up. Or change the attitudes of the society towards private life. An outstanding exhibition! It is so great that one can view all these works in one hall. Thanks to photographers and organizers."
Eugeniy, Moscow: «I live with HIV for six years already. Here in Russia, I think, is difficult to promote safe sex. Constant Russian “maybe” trusts a chance. I am grateful to those people who do grait work. We are all different and unique only due to the fact that we add each and everyone. Thanks!”
Sergey S. St. Petersburg.: One thought visits my mind: Stop the moment, you are irresistible! Alex Bego, thank you for wonderful moments!!!
Viewer St. Petersburg. : Love is full of colors. Viva Love! Wonderful scenery, lots of emotions and impressions. Special attention to Seva Galkin. Combination of black and while contrast, entourage, physiology is a winning combination. And it is not bad that one would see the style of Lenny Rifenshtal, Peir and Jil. New ideas and prefferencies are seen. Viva art! Impressed!!!
Exhibition visitors speak out (2011):
Viewer: The exhibition of a very good quality. All works are emotionally powered and harmonic.
Viewer: Thank you so much, the exhibition inspires. It’s worth living!
Viewer: we came directly from Moscow for the exhibition. Elquest is outstanding!
Viewer: outstanding, open, expressive and original photography. Thank you so much!
Viewer: At the exhibition I have experienced happiness and acceptance. Thank you those, who organized and conducted the project. This is important for me personally. Good luck to you all! It’s worth living! Guys as we are!
The exhibition: GUYS AS WE ARE. IT’S WORTH LIVING! was successfully conducted in 2009 in St. Petersburg and Berlin. The event was covered by press all over Germany and found response in the hearts of thousands of followers of male beauty. More information can be obtained from the web site www.LaSkyfoto.ru, or by becoming a guest of a new project GUYS AS WE ARE. IT’S WORTH LIVING!
The exhibition will take place on 10th -11th November 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden
The issue of HIV infection can touch any of us. Help people around you realize this, help them understand that entire life may depend on a timely “NO.” If each one of us cares a little more about another person, thy number of victims of the epidemic will reduce.
Genadiy Trifonov (1945 -2011) Writer, poet, openly gay. St. Petersburg.
It is very important for every man to succeed in life. I think the most important thing in this struggle is not to lose health. We often give all our energy to studies or work and let health be. Go to see a doctor and check your health out every six months, including tests for sexually transmitted infections! A successful man should direct his own life instead of just going with the flow.
Nikolay Mesheryakov, movie producer, Moscow
I feel like a zebra that has to explain to everyone why it has the stripes.
Inger Edelfeld, Swedish writer, born in 1956 y.
I do not think there is a sort of “homosexual of lifestyle”. To me, all these talks about gay culture are nonsense. A couple restaurants and a couple magazines do not make a culture. Michelangelo – is a culture. Virginia Wolf – is a culture. So tet us not mix the concepts.
Rita Mae Brown, American writer, screen play writer, born in 1944 y.
Men are not divided into separate populations of heterosexuals and homosexuals. The world cannot be divided into virtuous people and sinners. Things are not necessarily completely black or white. Discrete categories are rarely seen in the nature. Only human mind invents categories and tries to put facts on the shelves. The world of nature is continuous in any of its manifestations.
Alfred Kinsy, American biologist, (1894-1956).
