by valeriy klamm
SIBERIA
from the inside
from the inside
photography projects
I am Valeriy Klamm, visual blogger, based in Siberia. My photos and stories tell you about the places you've never been and the life you'll never touch.
What does Siberia mean – beyond clichés like the Trans-Siberian train, Lake Baikal, oil, cold, or vodka? Who are the inhabitants of vast rural Russia and what is their daily reality - thousands miles away from the capital?
Since 2009, as a founder and editor, I have run a photo blog titled "Birthmarks on the Map" and devoted to daily life in Russian provinces: simple stories of simple heroes in simple circumstances, the essential that lays between the lines and beyond the headlines, away from big cities.
In collaboration with ethnographers and anthropologists, local museums and explorers I gathered a unique visual archive of my own works. I published photo books, showcasing my photography in Russia and worldwide (photo festivals, contemporary art events, museums, universities).
I'm looking for professionals and art-buyers interested in engaging with me in worldwide cooperation: promoting and sales of my imagery, exhibiting and publishing it, and the co-production of the new visual content.
Since 2009, as a founder and editor, I have run a photo blog titled "Birthmarks on the Map" and devoted to daily life in Russian provinces: simple stories of simple heroes in simple circumstances, the essential that lays between the lines and beyond the headlines, away from big cities.
In collaboration with ethnographers and anthropologists, local museums and explorers I gathered a unique visual archive of my own works. I published photo books, showcasing my photography in Russia and worldwide (photo festivals, contemporary art events, museums, universities).
I'm looking for professionals and art-buyers interested in engaging with me in worldwide cooperation: promoting and sales of my imagery, exhibiting and publishing it, and the co-production of the new visual content.
'Birthmarks': selected links
media and multimedia
- By Valeriy Klamm for book crowdfunding on IndieGoGo, 2016The 'chorus' of photographers-contributors along with the folk soundtrack 'Incantation' by Sergey Starostin & friends. Length: 8 min,
- By Vladimir Itkin for Opendemocracy.net, 2016A significant part of Russia remains unknown to many of its citizens — mainstream media have no interest in the provinces. This photoblog captures a provincial life otherwise left behind.
- By Grant Slater for NPR / National Public Radio, 2014The gap between how foreigners view Russia and how Russians view themselves is wide and as old as the country itself.
>>> Article in CA >>>
In English, 'Siberia' contains letters S, I, B – sib, kinship. That's how I accustomed to act while capturing: as a close one.
Personally, since early 2000-th I'm working on the theme of rural life. Initially - as a head of international photo expedition teams (Great Rivers and Roads of Northern Asia), later - as a sole photographer, film-maker and storyteller.
My works captured throughout the South-Western Siberia were published (LensCulture, Cultural Anthropology, NPR, OpenDemocracy, Russian Reporter, BirdInFlight etc), showcased in my region (see 3D virtual tour, **flash player required), in Moscow (Tretyakovskaya State Gallery / Intnl Biennale of Contemporary Art) and outside the Russia - in Australia, Sweden, Cambodia, Canada, China, UK.
My imagery turned into series of self-published photo books: The Siberians (2013) and print-on-demand ByTheWay (2016).
Personally, since early 2000-th I'm working on the theme of rural life. Initially - as a head of international photo expedition teams (Great Rivers and Roads of Northern Asia), later - as a sole photographer, film-maker and storyteller.
My works captured throughout the South-Western Siberia were published (LensCulture, Cultural Anthropology, NPR, OpenDemocracy, Russian Reporter, BirdInFlight etc), showcased in my region (see 3D virtual tour, **flash player required), in Moscow (Tretyakovskaya State Gallery / Intnl Biennale of Contemporary Art) and outside the Russia - in Australia, Sweden, Cambodia, Canada, China, UK.
My imagery turned into series of self-published photo books: The Siberians (2013) and print-on-demand ByTheWay (2016).
Creative approach
I'm working on the theme of Russian provinces with focus on Siberia: lyric imagery on the border of doc & art.
My photography is out of stereotypes, breaking the expectations, has its own voice, lays out of visual mainstream.
Market prospective
My photos will be of interest to general audience, amateur photographers and professional communities because of the combination of cordial tune and technical features.
My collection / archive, also in book & exhibitions formats, is underestimated globally and has a big potential of attention, media coverage and sales.
Human issues
My attempts to "open up Siberia" visually to the wider world mean for me a kind of diplomacy within photography. It is a very personal gaze to the depth of Russia, country that now becomes scary for many. But this "Siberian soul's song" is about the common, about the understanding.
I'm working on the theme of Russian provinces with focus on Siberia: lyric imagery on the border of doc & art.
My photography is out of stereotypes, breaking the expectations, has its own voice, lays out of visual mainstream.
Market prospective
My photos will be of interest to general audience, amateur photographers and professional communities because of the combination of cordial tune and technical features.
My collection / archive, also in book & exhibitions formats, is underestimated globally and has a big potential of attention, media coverage and sales.
Human issues
My attempts to "open up Siberia" visually to the wider world mean for me a kind of diplomacy within photography. It is a very personal gaze to the depth of Russia, country that now becomes scary for many. But this "Siberian soul's song" is about the common, about the understanding.
Opportunities for Collaboration:
Media: producing visual content in my region and throughout Russia. (Photographs, Photo based texts, Special projects, Multimedia/films).
Museums, Galleries, Curators: Exhibition and sales of existing works, developing and launching new projects
Private and Corporate Collectors, art-dealers and buyers: Limited edition prints.
I am also available for public talks worldwide, and for coordinating your own projects in Siberia.
Museums, Galleries, Curators: Exhibition and sales of existing works, developing and launching new projects
Private and Corporate Collectors, art-dealers and buyers: Limited edition prints.
I am also available for public talks worldwide, and for coordinating your own projects in Siberia.
My education and latest activities:
1983 – Bachelors in Architecture.
1999-2004 – "Culture" Program Coordinator of the Soros Foundation in Novosibirsk branch. In 2000 headed Siberian part of "East of Magnum" Project (Magnum Photos ' exhibitions and master-classes).
2002-2005 – Head of international photo-expeditions: Sayano-Altay, Yenissey River, East Kazakhstan.
Since 2009 – Founder and Editor of "Birthmarks on the Map" photo blog community.
Since 2011 – Member of The Russian Union of Art photographers, expert of The Russian Geographical Society .
2017-2018 – Jury member of the Fine Art Photography Awards.
1983 – Bachelors in Architecture.
1999-2004 – "Culture" Program Coordinator of the Soros Foundation in Novosibirsk branch. In 2000 headed Siberian part of "East of Magnum" Project (Magnum Photos ' exhibitions and master-classes).
2002-2005 – Head of international photo-expeditions: Sayano-Altay, Yenissey River, East Kazakhstan.
Since 2009 – Founder and Editor of "Birthmarks on the Map" photo blog community.
Since 2011 – Member of The Russian Union of Art photographers, expert of The Russian Geographical Society .
2017-2018 – Jury member of the Fine Art Photography Awards.
Larger selection from my archive
Photos captured in my trips throughout the South Western Siberia in 2004-2017
