“What is your fondest dream?” I asked Chazz.“To dance naked in a nudist colony, with no sense of time—only love, no judgment. That would be true happiness.” He smiled, his full lips parting to reveal straight, gleaming teeth. “Do you remember the first time you felt completely happy?”“It was the first musical I ever saw.Continue reading “Chazz Cooks”
Tag Archives: art
Sasha Tischenko
I met Sasha in Berlin, where she had come to spend time alone for the first time since becoming a mother. Back on the island of Majorca, her twenty-month-old son was with his father and grandparents. She had anticipated this brief taste of freedom, but now that she was here, I wondered how it felt.Continue reading “Sasha Tischenko”
Valentina
Trigger warning – this interview discusses suicidal feelings. ‘Let’s talk about how you make your living,’ I said.‘I’m an artistic director,’ she replied.I was waiting for the continuation. She tried to tell me something but her lips seemed glued together. ‘Could you explain to me what you actually do?’‘All that (speaks indistinctly) like illustration, photos,Continue reading “Valentina”
Katya
‘Is there something that bothers you?’ I asked her.‘I worry very often and I know that it is me creating conditions for suffering,’ she answered easily. Her chin, mouth, cheeks and nose were concealed by a blue surgical mask. Her huge pale blue eyes, big forehead and long blond hair were visible. She was staringContinue reading “Katya”
Sophia
‘Why do you trust me to make your tattoo?’ I asked.‘I appreciate the feeling of unknown,’ she answered. Sophia, from Nurnberg, Germany, is 24 years old. She came to me as she is, a bit shy but showing her pleasant smile and impatient blue eyes. Though blessed with a pretty face, she did not playContinue reading “Sophia”
Dasha
‘When we were kids, why were you always obliged to work, but I wasn’t?’ I asked my cousin Dasha during the interview.‘Your mother pitied you, but my didn’t.’ Said Dasha. Dasha was born and raised in Molodechno, Belarus. She always was and will be older than me by three years. When we were kids we’veContinue reading “Dasha”
Anya and Sergey
‘I’m very much afraid of needles,’ Anya said.‘Needles?’ I repeated, unpacking a needle.‘Yes!’ She said and smiled.‘So how do you pass a blood test?’ I was questioning how serious she is.‘This is how: I faint every time.’The way she had answered made me laugh. I looked at Sergey. It seemed she wasn’t joking. His eyesContinue reading “Anya and Sergey”
Eila Strandmark
‘If you got a billion euro, how would you spend it?’ I asked Eila, staring at her nose covered with freckles.‘I would like to educate girls in India.’ Said Eila not hesitated for a second.I was glad to hear it from a 22-year-old woman. The answer like that gives me hope that young people areContinue reading “Eila Strandmark”
Farah
‘I was born in Tunisia, in a small town near the sea. I came to Moscow three years ago to study medicine and my story is fucked up!’ So said Farah, a twenty-two year old woman with blue curly hair, red lips, big cheeks and a tiny ring on her small, beautiful nose. ‘What haveContinue reading “Farah”
Noam
“Hey! Are you available tomorrow?” “Hi! Yes, I am. Do you already know what tattoo you want?” I replied. “I have cancer, so I want something strong.” “Tell me more about your story.” “It’s simple. I was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago. Doctors say I have three years left. But that’s not whatContinue reading “Noam”
