Introducing ‘The Chaos Isles’, a new photozine by Huck and Yushy
Normal Island — From unlicensed raves to the solstice at Stonehenge, furries to giant vegetable growers, Yushy is one of the UK’s best lensmen of its wild side. ‘The Chaos Isles’ will be sent out exclusively to Club Huck+ members.
Over the past decade, photographer and “cultural anthropologist” Yushy Pachnada as established himself as one of the most distinct documentarians of the UK’s wilder edges. His work thrives when people congregate to celebrate and demonstrate, and he has shot everything from underground raves, national protests and carnivals, to furry conventions, giant vegetable growers and slap fighting meets.
We’ve teamed up with him to create a one off, special photozine, The Chaos Isles, which explores the beauty and tension that occurs when the people of the UK let loose. Ultimately, at a time when control and power seems to be ever more concentrated in the hands of a small few, it’s an ode to a country that just below its polite-mannered façade, is built on mess.
The Chaos Isles will be distributed exclusively to members of Club Huck+. Join here and read our chat with him below.
Why are you drawn to photographing Britain’s crazier fringes?
I feel like an underdog, an outsider looking for a sense of belonging. When I see strange, bizarre, crazy things happening, I feel a sense of belonging where there are also underdogs and outsiders like me. Maybe I will find a friend! I think I’m drawn – to an extent – to photographing people like me.
What was the most eye-opening thing you shot?
Being around the football fans around the country feels electric even if you don’t support the team. You feel welcome (most the time), but being by Stonehenge during the solstice felt pretty similar. People dancing, drinking, kissing and doing all their party favours. Seems like no matter what we do, we always do end up enjoying a can of Thatchers Haze.
In seeing Britain’s stranger, wilder events, what’s your biggest learning or takeaway about the UK and its people?
All things considered, people are pretty normal. I have seen and experienced people in all sorts of states over this project and they still laugh, eat and drink. A lot of people I’ve spoken to are just normal. Even if they embody chaos, they showcase it rather than brush it off as being weird.
What do you hope people take away from seeing your photographs?
I hope people see these and realise we are all chaotic, no matter what we do. People as individuals are strange, and as a nation, we are all a manifestation of years of mental shit that a lot of us just brush off.
What does The Chaos Isles mean to you?
We embrace each other in more ways than we probably realise. There’s a lot of hate in this world, but there’s something beautiful in the chaos of Britain. All these different people, communities and cultures existing alongside each other, crossing over, clashing, connecting and somehow making it work.
Join Club Huck+ to receive a copy of The Chaos Isles.
Yushy Pachnada is a freelance photographer. Follow him on Instagram.
You might like
Slap fighting is having a moment. But is it safe?
BritSlap — The booming underground sport sees two competitors take turns striking each other without defending themselves. Critics warn of concussion and long term brain damage, but its devotees see it as a release. George Nash reports from a Liverpool meet, which includes the first ever female fight.
Pure havoc: photos of London amid the Euro 2020 final
Agony and ecstasy — Yesterday, as England competed against Italy in the hope of becoming the Euro 2020 champion, football fans descended into central London to mark the occasion. Photographer Aiyush Pachnanda was on hand to capture the action.
Meet Italy’s new generation of gabber and hardcore warriors
Bergamo Hardcore — Photographers GabriTVB and Tchane’s new photo series follows Gen Z revivalists of the subculture and musical style, which broke through the country in the mid-’90s.
Tank tops and akimbo wielding as Lara Croft came to town
Tomb Raider 30 — As the legendary video game celebrated her 30th birthday, around 80 superfans took part in a cosplay competition at her birthplace of Derby. Hatti Rex and Emily Rose England met some of the participants and found out what gaming’s greatest woman character means to them.
Halloween in Brooklyn, photographed over 50 years
Spirits and soul — Larry Racioppo’s new book documents half a century of the October festivities in New York, while tracing the city’s ever-changing character.
Cruising on the West Side Piers, New York’s wild side
West Side Highway — In the late 20th century, the area was an if-you-know-you-know hotspot for the city’s gay scene. William Howell’s new photobook immortalises it.
