Diplopia is a medical term for seeing double (from Latin dipl- "double" and -opia - "vision"). Diplopia is not a disease, it’s an ability. To see something the others are not able to see. In the word around us and also in ourselves.
Diplopia is about duolism. A possibility to exist in many different entities, backgrounds and identities at the same time. It’s about flexibility and constant change, where every second brings opportunity for the new metamorphosis.
Finally, Diplopia is about choice. A freedom to be as many things and shapes as one only wishes to be. Once at a time and all at once.
Diplopia magazine is a project started in 2022 which explores an unstable, constantly changing human nature by texts and profiles about people from different countries and cultures. It’s a self-reflection about cultural nomads like myself, Russian-born naturalized Norwegian living in London. It is about our place in the world, cultural identity and attachment.
Viktoria Pozdniakova
Diplopia 1. 0 is dedicated to men. As the female voice has been growing stronger in the last decades, we have slowly learned how to listen. But what about a man, are we able to hear his wisper? What does it mean to be a man nowadays?
In this issue, Diplopia studies modern masculinity from different angles. From how men determine themselves to how they are being determined. By their job, their surroundings, and their space. This issue tries to understand how our gender defines us in general. And if it doesn’t, what is our definition?
In this issue, Diplopia studies modern masculinity from different angles. From how men determine themselves to how they are being determined. By their job, their surroundings, and their space. This issue tries to understand how our gender defines us in general. And if it doesn’t, what is our definition?
In this very first Diplopia magazine, men of different professions from London to Saint-Petersburg reflect about manhood through the same topics (Persona). An interior designer and a florist, Maxim Languev, reveals his intimate workplace. Or, probably his workplace reveals his true self (Place)?
Panache section explores duality of fashion and the expert opinions about modern masculinity are meticulously gathered in Position.
Finally, every story has its context. The work on that issue began in 2022 when the world has been changing into a new unknown with us trying to search for the new purposes.
What started as a couple of short interviews with different men transformed into deep personal stories. At the end, out of respect for their courage and the beauty of their content, all interviews have been left without significant reduction.
Panache section explores duality of fashion and the expert opinions about modern masculinity are meticulously gathered in Position.
Finally, every story has its context. The work on that issue began in 2022 when the world has been changing into a new unknown with us trying to search for the new purposes.
What started as a couple of short interviews with different men transformed into deep personal stories. At the end, out of respect for their courage and the beauty of their content, all interviews have been left without significant reduction.
I am increadibly gratefull to all men who agreed to contribute to this issue: Maxim, Andrey, Sergey from Saint-Peterburg (Russia) and to Adam and Paul from London (UK).
Thank you for your trust and a possibility to witness what you had to share.
It is essential to mention two other men without whom this magazine would not be possible - Viktor Balaguer and Rory Langdon-Down, two fantastic street photographers who worked on a visual part of that issue.
It is essential to mention two other men without whom this magazine would not be possible - Viktor Balaguer and Rory Langdon-Down, two fantastic street photographers who worked on a visual part of that issue.
3 years later, life took its own course. The restaurant in Saint-Petersburg, where Andrey worked at a time of our interview, has been closed. And Paul, a war-photographer from London, tragically died in 2024. His interview, full of reflections about his career, his past and future got a new significance once the terrible news broke. My deepest condolences go to Paul’s family, his colleagues and friends.
Viktoria Pozdniakova
Concept/Editing/Production/Art direction
Photographers
@viktor_balaguer
@rorylangdondown
Cover photo: Viktor Balaguer
Photographers
@viktor_balaguer
@rorylangdondown
Cover photo: Viktor Balaguer
by Viktoria Pozdniakova,
Viktor Balaguer and Rory Langdon-Down.
Andrey
manager of Hobo restaurant helping homeless people to obtain new professions in dining industry.
manager of Hobo restaurant helping homeless people to obtain new professions in dining industry.
photographer specializing in male photography.
social pedagogue and children’s theater director.
award-winning war photographer, educator and runner.
British-Moroccan rapper with an Oxford degree.
by Viktoria Pozdniakova
and Viktor Balaguer.
How does Place define us and what does it tell? Shall a Place combine all our needs in one, or must it be diverse, with a separate space for each function?
In this section we have given a voice to the Place of Maxim Languev, a flower and an interior designer from Saint-Petersburg, which reveals about its owner more than he could ever say himself.