Le incredibili immagini della Corea del Nord

Spesso la Corea del Nord viene definito un paese “inaccessibile” e tra i meno documentati al mondo. Eppure grazie alle immagini pubblicate sul suo profilo Instagram dal giovane fotografo Taylor Pemberton possiamo “visitare” il Paese asiatico senza alzarci dalla sedia di casa.

My perspective into North Korea is only one small version of what exists. I want to encourage a wider opportunity to view the complexity in this country and hope to reveal a fair picture that swings both ways. I just learned about @furqanrai who also was in NK while I was there. Peep his stuff, some really nice and different shots! #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 23 Ago 2015 alle ore 22:00 PDT

Young school children we saw wandering around at random. They were hoping across rocks in the water and freely playing around, a nice sight. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 23 Ago 2015 alle ore 21:33 PDT

Down the alleyway (outside of Pyongyang proper) leaving a smaller city we ate lunch at. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 23 Ago 2015 alle ore 11:27 PDT

Typical scenes in North Korea happen just like everywhere else in the world. People tease each other, they trip up the stairs, they try to fix their hair in the reflection. I’m inspired by all this because it brings a sense of relation to a society that is alienated for obvious reasons. We were crossing underneath the main road when I saw this. I chose to take this photo (and now post) because it makes me know those things are real, even if it’s just for a moment. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 23 Ago 2015 alle ore 07:26 PDT

Pyongyang train station. I arrived at the airport and was instantly escorted to meet up with my group that had arrived from Dandong, China. Since I’m American, I had to fly into North Korea, a reason I’m still not 100% sure of. This building is pretty spectacular, inside and out, and is the central railway hub for connecting Pyongyang other towns that lie on the outskirts. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 22 Ago 2015 alle ore 17:10 PDT

One of the first rules you’re told is that you should not, under any circumstance, photograph military personnel. When I took this photo I was moving in a fast bus and didn’t even see the mass of soldiers at ease. Truthfully, you can push these limits if you dare, but the consequences could be disastrous. I did see a few other travelers with robust telephoto lenses which makes me wonder what they captured. I tried to be as respectful as possible through my journey and hope that some of the riskier bits will shine light on some important aspects of North Korean life. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 21 Ago 2015 alle ore 20:45 PDT

The Pyongyang Times. This just in: BROCCOLI ? ? #extraextra #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 21 Ago 2015 alle ore 20:01 PDT

Hospitality is taken very seriously in North Korea. The Yanggakdo hotel is perfectly staffed with a wide array of workers to always suit your needs. Food is plentiful, rooms are tidy, the entire presentation feels very grandeur. Since you can’t leave the hotel, you have several amenities that exist throughout the building: various shops, a casino, several restaurants, a bowling alley, a billiards room, a karaoke room, ping pong, and more. This shot was taken at the rooftop restaurant, which is a 360 degree panorama room that slowly rotates during open hours. This was a popular hangout spot where we’d drink beer and enjoy each others company, particularly favorable since everything felt so eccentric and retro. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 21 Ago 2015 alle ore 19:22 PDT

North Korea has no internet, no television, no free information. This is the only public news I saw in Pyongyang, where each headline and each image is a tribute to the DPRK and great leader. It’s difficult to wrap your head around the sheer magnitude this imposes for an ecosystem and it’s people. Want to openly make art? Want to free listen to music, or watch films? Want to create or learn anything outside the constructs of formal structure? Sorry, not possible. Even something as trivial as Instagram has had a huge impact on my ability to grow creatively. I’m able to practice the art of photography and documentary. I can be inspired by people I’ve never met. I feel the competition, the pressure to keep growing and exploring. I don’t know where I’d be without the accessibility of free information. I grew up on the Internet. I’ve formed my own conclusions. And for that, I feel very grateful. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 21 Ago 2015 alle ore 06:41 PDT

Pyongyang metro, 100 meters deep under the earth. This was a fascinating place to visit, not only because the opulent imagery, but because you had the opportunity to be in a contained space with the Pyongyang locals – North Korea’s ultra-privileged. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 20 Ago 2015 alle ore 18:11 PDT

As I mentioned before, you’re only supposed to see what North Korea allows. ? #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 20 Ago 2015 alle ore 17:19 PDT

Our liaison at the demilitarized zone. He was actually very friendly and laid back, despite having caught him in an evil staredown. #contrateur

Una foto pubblicata da Taylor Pemberton (@pemberton) in data: 20 Ago 2015 alle ore 04:34 PDT