Tracing the lost history of post-Soviet Kazakhstan
For Dieter Seitz, Kazakhstan has always been a land of mystery. The Berlin-born photographer has been travelling to the former Soviet republic for nearly a decade now, staying and shooting there for weeks at a time.
The main draw, he claims, is the country’s lost identity. Kazakhstan is filled with contradictions, and Seitz is keen to capture as many of them as possible in his work. His photographs – which are taken in various locations throughout the region – aim to show the complex cultural interplay between the Soviet Era and the new Kazakhstan; between the East and West; and between “revitalised folklore and the modern, consumer world.”
“I wanted to experience more closely what appears, from a distance, to be the most mysterious of the former Soviet republics,” he tells Huck. “Whenever this land came into my field of view, images appeared in my mind’s eye of encounters that lay much further in the past – virtual encounters in a sense.”
The resulting body of work can now be seen in his new book, Nomad’s Land. Published by Hatje Cantz, it covers the full extent of Seitz’s travels; from the vast rural landscapes to the built-up inner cities. According to him, the collection is an attempt to measure the “continuity, decay, and the comeback” of a post-Soviet society.
“I believe all photography is political,” he adds. “Nomad’s Land has a strong political layer – there is a social story, and by means of photography, I’m offering interpretations of it… I hope my pictures will contribute to a more empathetic understanding between people from different cultures.”
Nomad’s Land is available now via Hatje Cantz.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Timeless photographs of everyday Harlem ’90s life
Uptown Odyssey — Gerald Cyrus’s new photobook collates cinematic shots of the neighbourhood’s street life and jazz bars, capturing the vibrancy of the bygone era.
Meet Italy’s new generation of gabber and hardcore warriors
Bergamo Hardcore — Photographers GabriTVB and Tchane’s new photo series follows Gen Z revivalists of the subculture and musical style, which broke through the country in the mid-’90s.
Tank tops and akimbo wielding as Lara Croft came to town
Tomb Raider 30 — As the legendary video game celebrated her 30th birthday, around 80 superfans took part in a cosplay competition at her birthplace of Derby. Hatti Rex and Emily Rose England met some of the participants and found out what gaming’s greatest woman character means to them.
Halloween in Brooklyn, photographed over 50 years
Spirits and soul — Larry Racioppo’s new book documents half a century of the October festivities in New York, while tracing the city’s ever-changing character.
Cruising on the West Side Piers, New York’s wild side
West Side Highway — In the late 20th century, the area was an if-you-know-you-know hotspot for the city’s gay scene. William Howell’s new photobook immortalises it.
Ahilya Bamroo is Gen Z India’s authentic ambassador
Reel relatable — The influencer turned actor speaks about trolls, beauty standards and youth activism.
