The Marriage

Even after Viktor eventually married another woman, his relationship with Masha continued, with the same turbulence. It was a few years later when another creative captured Masha’s heart. In 1972 Masha began a relationship with Boris Smelov. He was another big name in the underground creative corridor. 

The Duo

Boris was a photographer just like Masha. He was a famous photographer but his constant brawl with the union’s authorities became a serious problem for his profession. In a matter of time, he could only showcase his work in unlawful and illegal exhibitions. But Boris continued to remain popular among underground artists. 

Another Heartbreak

Then came another heartbreak that shattered her forever and she started to feel that love wasn’t made for her. In the same year when Masha divorced Aysa’s father, she broke up with Boris. It was her love for these three men and the feeling of not being able to live with any of them that gave her a difficult time. This kept her sad until the end of her days. 

The Inhibition

Each of the men who were in a relationship with Masha was a big name. Famous for the role they had played in the creative world. This made Masha constantly live under their shadow. This made her a bit reluctant of showcasing her photos in the open. This is why the negatives were never revealed to another living soul.

The Introvert Genius

Leningrad, USSR, 1978 | Masha Ivashintsova

Aysa believes that her mother was a genius but she never realized it herself. She never let the world see what she was from within. Mahsa herself agrees to this when in a note in her diary she says,

“I loved without memory, I never had a memory for myself, but always for others.” This reflects the selfless trait Aysa’s mother carried. 

Disintegrating Health

By the year 1981, Masha’s health had seen a new low. Soon she was out of work and since unemployment was a criminal offense then, Masha was given to choose between a medical facility or the prison cell. Masha chose to spend her life in the Mental rehabilitation center than behind the bars. Life could not have been crueler to Aysa’s mother.