Feel free to interpret Ivan + Anastasia and their work however you like, but I feel compelled to share my own thoughts as these characters have developed.
When I spoke to Vlad, I felt an immediate sense of admiration, and kinship with his story and his outlook. He has suffered more than most, yet moves through life with an optimism that I have rarely been able to match in my own privileged life.
There’s an element of hope in Ivan, a dream of a potential reality that can be shared across geographic and cultural boundaries.
Here’s a man who risks his own life and safety to find and connect with fellow queer kin from all walks of life, and capture their essence to be shared with the world.
He can’t just ask people if they’re queer - he needs to earn their trust while simultaneously protecting his own safety, and he does so with earnest against impossible odds.
As I reflected on Ivan’s optimism, I couldn’t help but realize that the picture wasn’t complete without another perspective.
Every movement has its heroes, and its instigators.
Anastasia represents another point on the spectrum of queer perspectives (not a binary), an archetype sick of trying to do things “the right way.” Some conversations need to be started, and Anastasia represents those who know this to be true, and have the courage to do so out in the open.