The art project "The Wild Within" is a genesis project that explores the idea of ​​creating life in the abandoned, that takes place in a bygone Soviet era. During the Soviet Union, the Georgian city of Tskaltubo was a popular health destination known for its therapeutic waters and luxurious sanatoriums. Between the 1940s and 1980s, thousands of people visited the city, including Stalin and his high-ranking officials from Moscow. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the buildings collapsed and were left desolate.

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During many years, the Koopmans visited exploring the ruins and photographing. When they returned, in collaboration with Alice Wexell, they introduced vegetation digitally and manipulated the light and structure, added sounds by Erik Thome, and animated the scenes with the intention of bringing life back into the rooms. The result is a surreal collision between the past and the future, as well as the physical and digital world.

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Ryan Koopmans Instagram  
‍Alice Wexell Instagram