Text by Oman Morí (@omanmori)

In today's society, the influence of media on our understanding of reality is undeniable. It's a force that can shape our perception of the world around us, blurring the lines between truth and fiction. Television, especially in the pre-internet era, held immense power, crafting narratives that often distorted reality, fabricating memories and situations that never truly existed. Russian visual artist Viktoria Kovshikova explores how the media cultivates fear and alienation among people. Confronting her own fears, she employs her camera as a means to illuminate the darkness, aiming to understand and challenge these perceptions. She attempts to understand and confront the dichotomy between reality and fabricated narratives perpetuated by television, especially in her hometown.

She cites a study from 2018 that shows an increase in the adoption of conspiracy theories by Russian media. Kovshikova notes how these theories, from global conspiracies involving aliens to political manipulations, are being promoted through state-run channels, further confusing the audience between fact and fiction. This manipulation, not only undermines critical thinking but also influences societal beliefs and childhood fears.

Her artistic journey began when she stumbled upon an internet text discussing the Sandov Triangle, a mysterious area near her hometown. “It turned out that a TV show called «Secret Territories» talked about it. The show consisted of several stories in which scientists tried to explain the mysterious events that occurred there. Residents also gave interviews to the hosts of the show and talked about a huge red flying ball, a ghost of a girl in the woods, technical malfunctions with the compass in the village of Tukhani, and so on. I decided to study this mysterious area and went to the Sandov Triangle”, explained Viktoria. Inspired by this, Kovshikova embarked on a mission to investigate this enigmatic zone, aiming to translate these surreal tales into visual narratives through her photography.

"In this project, I interpret the stories of 'Secret Territories' and transfer conspiracy theories into real life," Kovshikova explains. Through her lens, she confronts and illuminates these surreal episodes, while also reckoning with her childhood fears. Her visual storytelling questions the idea of living in a world without supernatural elements, yet being surrounded by unfounded fears and misconceptions. Her work makes us think deeply about where these fears come from.

The resultant collection of Kovshikova's work comprises a haunting series of dark and surreal images, each capturing the essence of these elusive fears. Her photography serves as a tool to confront and overcome irrational fear.