The Russia Journal

A year ago, tireless photographer and society girl Katia Gaika was one of the most active figures on the Moscow society scene. With or without her camera, she was at almost all the parties and presentations. But now she has no time for such activities and though she herself has become quite hard to find in Moscow, her third professional and personal exhibition, "Communications — Human Traffic — Naqoyqatsi" is on display until the end of August in the second-floor hall at the Kinoplex entertainment center on Leninsky Prospekt. The exhibition presents 20 works of around a meter high each.

Name: Katia Gaika

Line of work: Student at the Columbia University School of General Studies, producer

Place of residence: New York and Moscow in the holidays

Languages: fluent English and enough French to understand menus

Hobbies: organizing and holding mass activities, photography

Distinctive features: very loud laugh.

Katia, you used to be an active photographer and society figure, so where have are you these days?

I left to study at Columbia University. I really like it there. But it’s meant that photography is now my hobby again and I just don’t have time for society life. Anyway, I’m sick of doing the rounds of Moscow clubs where you always see the same old faces. The only time I go to them now is when friends come to stay.

How did you get the idea for this exhibition?

I got it after the press showing of the film "Naqoyqatsi." The strength of the film’s visual images and the music take the viewer into the heart of the new century caught up in the global communications network. Godfrey Reggio’s film had an impact on me and coincided with how I see life. I had this idea in my head, because I had long been wanting to present these works, but it so happened that the film’s idea also coincided with what I want to do in life.

And what might that be?

Communications. Once my studies are over, I’m going to become a big switching station.

What other creative things would you like to do?

That’s my biggest problem. I could do practically anything that involves a creative element — from TV to charity work. I just don’t know what to choose. Studying gives me the time to think and try myself in different areas. I’d like to try being an organizer and producer for mass sporting events, the Olympics, various championships and cups. Any area that blends show-business, management and traffic. My first producing project of this kind is the Zavidovo Cup, and I’m involved in it for the second year now. I think it’s turned out OK.

What kind of sports do you prefer to actually do?

Skiing, downhill skiing.

How is life in the United States?

The events of 2001 left a mark on people, but the positive moment is that life there is cheaper now. There is a big difference between New York and Moscow. Everything there is organized, you know every step that comes next. The distance between people was strange to me at first, everyone is so much more reserved. Then there’s this workaholic culture, everyone is always at work, and they spend their small amount of free time with their families. Moscow is Moscow, here it’s the exterior that matters a lot.

What are your favorite restaurants in Moscow?

I like the pre-party culture in the States with lounge bars. This culture isn’t developed at all in Moscow. There is Red Bar, but it is really not a Moscow kind of place. The restaurants I like in Moscow are La Grotta, Mario, Veranda u Dachi and Antonio’s summer terrace. It just depends on my mood.

What about clubs?

In Moscow probably only Shambala DJ Bar and Cabaret on Strastnoi Bulvar.