Home Made Russia: Post-Soviet Folk Artefacts

The military incursion by Russia into Ukraine in February 2022 has sparked a series of sanctions targeting the nation, leading to significant economic repercussions. These punitive measures are expected to plunge ordinary Russians into a period of scarcity reminiscent of the hardships they faced over three decades ago after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The reissued edition of "Home-Made" (2006) presents a collection of over 220 unique items that capture the essence of Soviet culture. Crafted by former citizens of the USSR amid the chaos of their nation's breakdown, each piece reflects ingenuity born from necessity. The book includes a photograph of each creator along with a narrative detailing the inspiration behind the object, its purpose, and the materials used. Vladimir Arkhipov notes, "I have always seen my project as humanistic and opposed to Putin. It stands as a counter to Russia's imperialistic cultural agenda."