Nothing Personal: The Back Office of War

Teryoshin's photographs of anonymous arms dealers at trade shows are a commentary on the hidden world of business. He uses bold graphics, visual humor, and a casual approach to contrast the innocent color palette with the goods on sale. His use of flash is reminiscent of crime scene photography, highlighting certain elements. Teryoshin gained access to professional arms fairs through his work for VICE Germany and visited expositions in Poland, Belarus, South Korea, France, Germany, South Africa, China, UAE, Peru, Russia, Vietnam, USA, and India over a period of years.

Format: Hardback
Length: 182 pages
Publication date: 05 February 2024
Publisher: GOST Books

Teryoshin's approach to capturing the faces of the business men and women present in his photographs is deliberately obfuscated, as he does not intend to assign blame to any individual. The anonymous arms dealers portrayed in his images can be seen as a metaphor for a business that operates in the shadows and remains largely unnoticed by the media. Teryoshin's photographs are characterized by their playful and often humorous nature, featuring bold graphic angles and visual jokes. For instance, he juxtaposes images of drinks placed alongside machine guns and political tote bags. The casual nature of his observations, combined with the bright and innocent color palette that permeates his imagery, creates a stark contrast to the goods on sale. Teryoshin's use of flash serves to highlight certain elements in his photographs, reminiscent of crime scene photography.

Teryoshin's journey into the world of professional arms fairs began in 2016 when he attended a hunting fair, specifically Hunt and Dog. He was struck by the overwhelming interest in guns, particularly hunting rifles, among both older and younger visitors. Following the publication of his series Sons and Guns, Teryoshin became curious about the events that take place at professional arms fairs. Through his work for VICE Germany and the project, he gained media access to Eastern Europe's largest arms fair, MSPO, in Kielce, Poland, in September 2016.

Over the course of several years, Teryoshin visited exhibitions in Poland, Belarus, South Korea, France, Germany, South Africa, China, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Russia, Vietnam, the United States, and India. His photographs shed light on the intricate world of arms trading, showcasing the vast array of weapons and equipment on display and the diverse range of participants involved in the industry. Through his lens, Teryoshin offers a unique perspective on the global arms market, raising important questions about the role of weapons in conflict, peacekeeping, and international security.

Dimension: 285 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915423221