Dark Site

This project focuses on drug-related crimes and the darknet influence on this process. In Russia, 25-50 percent of prisoners are serving sentences for drug-related crimes. Most of the drugs are sold through the darknet and are hidden in the form of “bundles” in secluded places in cities.

For shooting I've used a broken digital camera, which deforms images. The darknet and a digital camera have one origin — binary code. In my opinion, this visual way emphasizes the deforming influence of drugs on the human personality and discloses relations between the darknet and us. The darknet casts its invisible shadow over our real world. Also, this visual approach accorded well with traditions of documentary photography. On one hand I don't develop my photos, all images are born inside the camera. On the other hand, it invites us to think about the nature of photographic images.

The abundance of drug prisoners is caused by several factors. Firstly, drugs are easily accessible today. We have witnessed a technological revolution in this area of crime. You can buy all kinds of drugs on online marketplaces on the darknet. All you need to have is a Smartphone and the Tor browser. Secondly, the situation is complicated by extremely repressive legislation. Even for possession of a small amount of drugs, a person can get a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Drug addicts are one of the most discriminated groups in Russian society.