"Im Flüstern der Wellen" ("When the waves whisper")
The photobook “Im Flüstern der Wellen” (“When the waves whisper”) by Oxana Guryanova is the result of a personal exploration of memory, loss, and family bonds. Inspired by the poems of her father, Vladimir Guryanov, who passed away in 2021, the book combines poetry, photography, and historical documents into a multilayered visual narrative. The poems, written by Guryanov during his service in the Soviet Pacific Fleet in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reflect his longing for home, family, and love.
Originally conceived as a tribute to her father’s work, the project evolved into a multidimensional portrayal in which Oxana Guryanova reflects on her own relationship with him. The handwritten poems, translated into German and typographically highlighted, are accompanied by photographs from family albums and newspaper clippings that contextualize the historical backdrop of the Soviet Union at that time. The deliberate use of different paper types and contrasting fonts underscores the tension between the permanence of memories and their gradual fading over time.
“When the waves whisper” is an emotional journey that addresses central themes such as longing, homesickness, and loss. The book not only sheds light on the life of a young man during his time in the Soviet Pacific Fleet but also reveals the cultural and political context of the Soviet Union in that era. It offers a profound insight into the mindset of a man shaped by the challenges of military life, loneliness, and a deep yearning for home. At the same time, it documents the spirit of a generation shaped by discipline, a sense of duty, and patriotism.
Readers are invited to experience these memories and form their own emotional connection to the story.
