A Life Through Images

Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, 1989 | Masha Ivashintsova

The images were accompanied by diaries that gave a glimpse of Masha’s life in the Soviet Union. Aysa had an experience of living her mother’s life through her images and words. Although it was evident that the world had changed yet the past seemed to be another world. 

Out In The Open

Leningrad, USSR, 1976 | Masha Ivashintsova

After what Aysa had experienced, she decided to share it with the world. The album was soon released on the internet and to her surprise, it gathered a reception that she had never thought. When developed into photos the negatives came up revealing the typical lifestyle in the Soviet Union. 

The Russian Revolution

It was this revolution that changed the face of Russia for good and this was the time when we saw Bolshevik government rise to power. Five years after this upheaval, the Soviet Union was formed. Masha was born in the year 1942 which was 25 years after the Russian Revolution. 

The Cold War

The Soviet Union had gradually extended its reach across most of Europe by the end of World War II. But the future awaited with uncertainties. By the time Masha was born the period of Cold War had taken over as the territory was about to become the epicenter of a major political and social change. 

An Early Start

Masha had started clicking these pictures when she was just 18. That is how the 30,000 photos were stored in a negative. She was a very keen photographer and she clicked everything she found worthwhile and that is why these photos revealed so much of normal life. Children, old people, men going to work, she clicked everything that talked about life. 

Royalty Snatched

Masha’s family once was a reputed one and had a fortune but when the revolution happened, all aristocracy and opulent lodgings that they possessed were confiscated and they were left with a very humble neighborhood. The camera though remained Masha’s dearest possession.