The friends who tried to escape their demons on an all American road trip
- Text by Ella Guthrie
- Photography by Stanislav
At some point in our lives, we’ve all wanted to hit the ground running, and not look back. A sense of adventure is ingrained in us, and the fantasy of spending your life on the open road has been chronicled by authors, artists and thinkers for decades.
Through accounts of their lives we’ve ridden with Hunter Thompson and the Hells Angels, gone on an acid trip with Tom Wolfe, and gazed at the sun setting in the back of a pickup truck with Jack Kerouac. Huckleberry Finn’s own sense of urgency to escape the confines of sivilized folk is what inspired this very magazine in the first place.
The cliché of the American dream and the quest to live vicariously through the literary heroes of the beat generation is what inspired best friends and confidants Stanislav and H to leave the comfort of their homeland to Hitchhike across the USA, documenting their travels as they went.
The journey was one that most wanderers dream about their whole lives; camping under the stars, chewing on wild mushrooms, stuffing their faces with McDonald’s and crashing in cheap motels. They met weird and wonderful people who restored their faith in the kindness of strangers, and their lived experience ultimately lead to them to (self)publish a book about the lessons they learnt along the way.
An intimate story of friendship and adventure, the book also documents how H’s struggle with anorexia served as the backdrop to the need for a new discovery. The duo’s journey to the States was not just one to fulfil their expectations of the all-American road trip, but also a hopeless attempt for H to escape her demons.
The book itself is a collection of images of their life off the beaten track, which also features interweaving poetry that they wrote based on the diaries they kept. All in all, it acts as a true representation of what it really means to take the road less travelled, and shows the journey of two friends who just wanted to do something worthwhile.
Hitchhike US launches 4 October 2016 and is available through Stanislavs publishing platform BFLPMSVZ.
A pop up exhibition of the images takes place at Dalston’s Doomed Gallery on 4th October, 6-9pm.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
“I refuse to accept child poverty is a normal part of our society”: Apsana Begum MP on voting to scrap the cap
After seeking to “enhance” the King’s Speech by voting for the scrapping of the controversial two child benefit cap, the MP for Poplar and Limehouse lost the Labour Whip.
Written by: Apsana Begum
Is skateboarding really a subculture anymore?
With skate’s inclusion in the Olympics, Kyle Beachy asks what it means for the culture around the sport, and whether it’s possible to institutionalise an artform.
Written by: Kyle Beachy
Autism cannot be cured — stop trying
A questionable study into the ‘reversal’ of autism does nothing but reinforce damaging stereotypes and harm, argues autistic author Jodie Hare.
Written by: Jodie Hare
Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition
After the success of it’s inaugural run, the festival returns this autumn with exhibitions, education and community programmes exploring a world in constant motion through still image.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence
New photobook ‘Say Less’ is a complex yet humanising look into a life wrecked by gun violence and organised crime.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography
A new exhibition brings together Janette Beckman’s visionary and boundary pushing images of an era of cultural change and moral panic.
Written by: Miss Rosen