The term “raw” can be overused, but Boogie’s granular photos of Moscow strike the senses. The photographer’s subjects confront him directly, resulting in an “undeniable rapport and intimacy,” writes powerHouse Books, the publisher of Boogie’s latest monograph, Moscow in a statement. The book is an “urban, industrial, yet heart-wrenchingly humane new collection,” writes powerHouse, “You cannot look away.”

Born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia, the first time Boogie visited Moscow, he felt like he had found his “tribe,” one that was big, powerful, and lost. Boogie says of the experience, and the book: Us Serbs always regarded Russians as our Orthodox Christian brothers; our historical friends and protectors.When you first meet them, Russians are very cold and reserved. But when they get to know you, they will give you everything. Russians are very strong: walking around Moscow, you see 50, 60, 70-year old people who could rip your head off! When I’m in a foreign city, I shoot like a madman. I walk and shoot 15 hours a day. Moscow is huge; it’s very hard to cover photographically. It’s hard to do it justice. I think, with this book, I only scratched the surface.

Boogie began photographing rebellion and unrest during the civil war that ravaged Serbia during the 1990s. Growing up in a war-torn country defined Boogie’s style and attraction to the darker side of human existence. He has published six previous monographs, It’s All Good (powerHouse Books, 2006), Boogie (powerHouse Books, 2007), Sao Paulo (Upper Playground, 2008), Istanbul (Upper Playground, 2008), Belgrade Belongs to Me (powerHouse Books, 2009), and A Wah Do Dem (Drago Publishing, 2015). Boogie has lived in New York City since 1998.

Moscow
By Boogie
powerHouse Books (January 2019)

Related Articles
Moscow, and Las Vegas in 1980s Color
Boogie: The Uncovering
The Surprising Fate of Film (for PDN subscribers; login required)