Control Refresh by Toma Gerzha

An Intimate Look at Russian Youth Navigating Tradition, Politics, and Digital Culture

Written by Prajwal Godse

Control Refresh offers an intimate and deeply personal look at the lives of Gen Z in Russia and Eastern Europe, navigating the pressures of political instability, tradition, and the omnipresence of social media. Over the course of three years, Gerzha traveled to remote cities, capturing the vulnerability, boredom, and dreams of a generation growing up amidst war propaganda and government restrictions. Her photographs highlight a world where digital escapism collides with the stark realities of life in a nation increasingly closing itself off from the global stage.

Gerzha’s connection to her Russian roots is a major influence on her work. Although her parents moved from Russia to the Netherlands in 2009, she grew up surrounded by Soviet values and traditions. This duality in her upbringing—caught between two cultures—led her to document the contrasts between her Dutch life and her Russian heritage. In Control Refresh, Gerzha extends this exploration, capturing the complexities of Russian Gen Z’s identity, especially in the face of growing political tension.

Gerzha’s subjects belong to Generation Z, the first generation raised entirely in a digital world. For many of these young people, the internet is both a lifeline and an escape, providing access to global culture while also deepening their sense of alienation. In Russia, where state control and war propaganda shape daily life, this digital divide is particularly stark. Young Russians are constantly surrounded by messages of nationalism and the threat of being drafted to fight in Ukraine, yet many turn to social media and digital spaces to find solace.

Gerzha’s photographs capture these moments of escape and resilience. In one image, a group of teenagers strums guitars on a rooftop, seemingly lost in the music while industrial Russia looms in the background. Another photograph shows a young person hanging from a brightly colored bus stop, a playful, rebellious act in a quiet, empty landscape. These images reflect the tension between personal freedom and the social and political constraints these young people face.

The outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a turning point in Gerzha’s project. What began as an exploration of youth culture and identity quickly transformed into a documentation of how political events directly shape the lives of these young people. The war created a profound sense of uncertainty and fear, and Gerzha’s work adapted to capture these shifting dynamics. Her subjects were suddenly faced with an immediate threat—many worried about being drafted or caught up in the escalating conflict.

Gerzha continued to visit and reconnect with her subjects, now focusing not only on their everyday lives but also on how their choices and opportunities were being restricted by the war and political isolation. The series now reflects a profound change in the lives of these teenagers as they navigate the war’s impact on their sense of safety and belonging.

While Russian Gen Z faces heavy political pressure, they also find moments of joy and connection in their personal lives. Many of Gerzha’s images depict intimate gatherings, parties, and playful interactions among friends—moments of lightness and freedom that stand in contrast to the heaviness of the country’s political reality. Her work captures the way ‘party culture’ has become a form of escapism, a way for young Russians to carve out spaces where they can truly be themselves, away from the watchful eyes of the state.

Working in Russia became increasingly difficult for Gerzha as the country began to close itself off from the rest of the world. Travel restrictions, government crackdowns on free speech, and heightened nationalism meant that each trip carried more uncertainty—whether she would even be able to return to the Netherlands after her visits was unclear. Despite these challenges, Gerzha’s commitment to her project never wavered, and by 2023, she had built a collection of images that captured the transformation of a once open society into one marked by isolation and political control.

Toma Gerzha is a mixed-media artist whose work has been exhibited in prominent venues across Europe, including the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, ParisPhoto, and the Biennale de l’Image Possible. Her focus on photography, coupled with her personal experiences, gives her work an authenticity and depth that resonates with audiences both in Russia and abroad. Her themes often explore the idea of being both an insider and an outsider—feeling at home in neither place but navigating the complexities of both.

Her work has also been featured in publications such as De Volkskrant, Marie Claire Belgique, ELLE Korea, and the British Journal of Photography. Through her photographs, Gerzha addresses broader issues of identity, culture, and political influence, while always maintaining a personal connection to the subjects she documents. In Control Refresh, she not only portrays the coming-of-age experiences of Russian youth but also reflects on her own identity as someone who straddles two cultures.

Gerzha’s ability to blend documentary-style photography with personal narrative has made her a standout voice in contemporary visual art. As she continues to explore themes of generational identity and cultural dislocation, her work speaks to the universal struggles of young people seeking their place in a rapidly changing world.

Explore More of Toma Gerzha’s Work

• Purchase the photobook at: eriskayconnection.com

• View more of Toma Gerzha’s work at toma.art