The art of being alone: exploring solitude through the lens

Loneliness is not only felt but also frequently spoken of. People both suffer from and revel in it. This emotional state is simultaneously glorified and cursed. Throughout history, humanity has continuously grappled with this complex condition. Various forms of art—be it poetry, painting, or dance—have explored the theme of solitude. While poets communicate their interpretation through words, painters do so through lines and colours, and dancers through movements. Photographers freeze moments of solitude in their images, whereas cinematographers capture these ephemeral instances on film. This article in Afisha.London magazine delves into diverse artistic genres, examining solitude through the unique prism of each creator’s imagination.

Ksenia Rybka — photographic artist (London, United Kingdom)

Ksenia crafts portraits of solitude through the discerning lens of her camera. Her photographs often depict characters in states of profound isolation—be they sequestered from the external world, inhabiting a different planet, or suspended amidst clouds. Utilising colour, composition, and thoughtfully posed models set against evocative backdrops, Ksenia assembles imaginary worlds. These realms invite the viewer to pause, catch their breath, and ponder age-old questions: ‘Where did we come from?’, ‘Why are we here?’, and ‘Where are we going?’. Through her scrupulous attention to detail, Ksenia captures the very essence of solitude. Rich tones, intricate textures, and crystalline clarity come together to evoke a palpable sense of presence, compelling the viewer to appreciate even the most subtle nuances of her work.

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In Ksenia’s vision, solitude takes the form of a neutral, sterile space where melancholy presides, yet where beauty and resilience also find a home. This unique duality captivates aesthetically, provoking us to reflect upon our own emotional landscapes and personal experiences. Her photography implores us to savour those private moments of solitude, to find comfort in self-discovery, and to embrace the wisdom that comes from confronting solitude head-on.

Branching out from the individual experience, Ksenia’s work shifts to the societal level. Once regarded as a deeply personal human emotion, loneliness has metastasised into a pervasive social malaise in the contemporary world. As an accomplished fine-art photographer, Ksenia Rybka argues through her body of work that a more nuanced engagement with solitude could endow humanity with greater empathy, sensitivity, and self-awareness. This conceptual shift encourages us to move from broad generalisations and depersonalisation towards valuing the individual as a unique entity.

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Vladimir Zakharov — photographer (Tbilisi, Georgia)

Characterised by a distinctive style that marries the interplay of light and shadow with the timeless elegance of black-and-white photography, Vladimir is an artist who seeks to document the authentic tapestry of life. His lens navigates both the natural world and the human condition, capturing their intricate dance as they meld into a cohesive narrative. Of particular interest is Vladimir’s nuanced exploration of solitude, a theme that he masterfully encapsulates. He doesn’t merely depict this state; he excels at capturing its very essence, laying it bare for the viewer to interpret and understand.

Photo: Vladimir Zakharov

Black-and-white birds cut a striking figure as they shimmer against the sky, a solitary figure wades through the surf’s foam onto an ink-black shore, and an elderly man stands alone on a dimly lit street, his coat and cane his only companions. All captured in stark black and white. At first glance, these might appear to be hues of ennui, melancholy, and solitude. Yet, paradoxically, it’s precisely this absence of colour that serves to highlight form, accentuate detail, and illuminate the essence of each subject

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The artist poses a compelling philosophical quandary: is humanity an integral part of nature or an alien presence? Through the eloquent language of his photographs, Vladimir offers his own resolution: humans are uniquely endowed with reason, setting them apart from other life forms in a manner that both elevates and consigns them to an abyss of their own making. Unlike any other creature, humans are capable of wreaking havoc and suffering from the weight of their own emotional complexities. It is the human condition to feel solitude, to bear its ache and project this emotional landscape onto the world around them.

Nature itself exudes a harmony that precludes true loneliness. Even when depicted alone within the natural world in Vladimir’s photographs, individuals do not appear inherently solitary. Intriguingly, it’s within the realm of human interaction that solitude most poignantly manifests itself. Amidst crowds, within social gatherings, and even amongst lovers, this pervasive sense of isolation can sometimes be discerned in their eyes. Notably, it’s not love that is reflected, but rather its antithesis: a palpable sense of disconnection and abandonment. Humans, it would seem, are the planet’s uniquely solitary beings.

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Inga Makeyeva — photographer (Vitebsk, Belarus)

Inga Makeyeva, a photographer hailing from Vitebsk, Belarus, crafts arresting visuals steeped in subdued colours, vacant spaces, and isolated figures. She skilfully utilises guiding lines to rivet the viewer’s gaze, meticulously orchestrating the placement of objects within each frame to conjure a profound sense of depth and perspective. These calculated elements coalesce to amplify an already potent feeling of solitude.

Her portraits feature lone women, delineated in stark dual-tones—black and white, red and black, or blue and black. The sinuous contours of the body, captured in deliberate postures and punctuated by her minimalist colour palette, immerse the viewer in an ambiance suffused with beauty, anguish, and loneliness.

Inga’s work serves as a compelling invitation to delve into the solitude inherent in each of us. Her portraits seize transient moments of introspection and vulnerability, urging viewers to confront their own experiences of isolation. Inga’s mastery lies in her ability to encapsulate the breadth and depth of human experience, resonating with anyone who has ever felt alone or set adrift.

Solitude, while often experienced as oppressive, harbours its own peculiar allure. In moments of aloneness, one engages in creation, contemplation, and decision-making. After all, we both enter and exit this life in solitude. Through three distinct stories, these artists from various corners of the globe provide vivid and original perspectives on the multifaceted nature of loneliness—an inevitable and, at its core, natural emotion.

Victoria Dini

Cover photo: Ksenia Rybka

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