ROOM
MATES
MATES
not comunication spaces
“RoomMates” one and a half years of cohabitation among three people and some unknown squatters defined this experience. Initially, the novelty of living with strangers brought enthusiasm and excitement. Evenings on the terrace, with wine glasses and cigarettes, were an opportunity to discuss ideologies, philosophies, and politics with one roommate. The other roommate, however, was reserved and spent most of their time in their room, with the opaque glass door always locked.
As time passed, each person revealed their personality and habits. However, disorder reigned in the common areas, and relationships deteriorated to the point where we only exchanged greetings when we met in the kitchen or needed to discuss house-related matters. After three months of cohabiting as perfect strangers, we had become unknown individuals who unconsciously disliked each other.
Reviewing the photographs I took to document the situation, I began to realize that what I was capturing were identities, characteristics of people unaffected by poses, compositions, or appearances. Unbeknownst to them, I was unconsciously photographing portraits of my roommates and their friends in the most impassive manner. Thus, “RoomMates” was born—a documentation of objects, shared spaces, and intimate ways of living, where these impassive identities harmoniously coexist despite the contrasting disorder.
