Infinity Awards 2015

With images that are reminiscent of surreal film scenes, the work of Evgenia Arbugaeva (winner of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2013) continually revolves around her home in the Russian Arctic. In the summer of 2013, she travelled aboard an icebreaker in order to visit meteorological stations along the Barents Sea – and knew she had found her next theme. The resulting series, Weather Man, has now earned her the Infinity Newcomer Award established by the Center of Photography (ICP) in New York.


In 2009 you were a student at the International Centre of Photography (ICP) in New York. Have ever thought about winning one of the Infinity Awards from ICP one day?

The year in ICP was a very important one for sure, it was a turning point. Before that Photography was just a hobby for me. It was fantastic just to be in New York and dedicate all my time to listening, talking, looking and breathing photography. It so happens that after 2009 my life revolves around photography in one way or another, which is something that I always wanted and I am forever grateful for this. This is why this award is very meaningful. Have I thought about it? No, It was a big surprise!


In your Weather Man series you are showing the every day life of Slava, the meteorological station master on the Russkiy Zavorot peninsula. How did you decided to join especially him for your series?

When I saw Slava for the first time I instantly was drawn to him, and had a strange feeling as if we’ve known each other for a long time. He belongs to a generation of polar romantics, who treasure the Arctic and can sacrifice everything for its vast landscape and freedom. I was just fascinated by him… I don’t think I can find a better reason.


In your works you are always dealing with your homeland in the northern reaches of Russia. What comes next?

I am working now on several stories, some I continue in the north of Russia and one story is in Tanzania, which, as you can imagine, is completely different land and atmosphere, but I really enjoy being there.


The project was created for the special LFI edition 10x10, published to mark the 100th anniversary of Leica photography. You can find the magazine at www.lfi-online.de.