In this second episode of the Unpublished Photo section, we had the pleasure of interviewing w.vv.vv one of the esteemed winners of the UP23 contest. We were curious to learn more about their poetry and how their passion for photography began and evolved. Currently, w.vv.vv’s work presents a world in shades of pink. We were interested to know if there were specific reasons for this colour choice and if there were any plans to change it in the future. w.vv.vv is a seasoned traveller, and we were wondering if their cultural identity has played a role in influencing their photography.

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Born in 1995, the artist and designer of augmented reality w.vv.vv have chosen to hide their own identity and express themselves in images that translate a deep fascination with cyberpunk culture. For Psytopia, between 2019 and 2023 the artist wandered for countless nights and dawns along the streets of different cities in Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo, and Hiroshima. Their attention is focused on the urban scenes that often go unnoticed, and on the places where people seldom go. The elaboration of the images and the special use of colours evoke a sense of solitude and desolation, which leave the hustle and bustle of crowded cities in the background. Each image digs deep into a psychological dimension, transfiguring ordinary landscapes into an ultra-terrestrial hallucination. The project intends to affirm the power of evoking emotions and of inspiring introspection, reflecting the artist’s personal journey through the labyrinth of their psyche.