My name is Argenika Burmistrova. I'm a music and video producer from Moscow, I moved to Yerevan after the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022 due to political reasons. Yerevan is the birthplace of my parents and myself, so it was important for me to do something significant while being in my historical homeland. I created a project on conscious consumption called RageGarage and am building a community of people ready to pay attention to environmental issues and make a change in the country. We are located in a garage on the territory of a former basalt quarry, which makes our place truly unique and historically significant. We preserved a large piece of basalt in the wabi-sabi style, a Japanese philosophy symbolizing the concept of our project - we don't change anything inside, but only contribute a part of ourselves. As I am still an immigrant and don't understand the local social or political context, it's important for local people to help us in this understanding. We actively support art, culture, and charity - we host rooftop raves, concerts, DJ sets, lectures, and film screenings. The feeling of rage is one of my favorites, as it has often saved me in life, but in culture, it is often interpreted negatively. It's important for me to show that it has not only a negative connotation but it’s also a great, non-destructive form of power, which one can draw energy from if you live through it for yourself and others. In our space, we offer selective vintage items, clothing, local eco-friendly jewelry, and other businesses, magazines, and books. We make coffee without disposable cups and don't produce packaging - only real cups and reusable packaging. I created a community where all people are equal - no matter your gender, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, social status, or cultural background - we welcome everyone and want to hear from each person who has their own unique life experience and exchange ours with them.

Photographer: Vazgen Harutyunyan