Before attending NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program, I lived in Russia for 5 years. During this time I became friendly with Evgeny Khaldei, one of the greatest war photographers of this century. A Major in the Soviet Navy, Khaldei covered World War II for the TASS agency. His remarkable photos chronicle various chapters of the war, particularly the Soviet liberation of Eastern Europe, victory over the Nazis in Berlin, the Nurenburg war crime trials and Potsdam summit meetings.

Khaldei often invited friends to his apartment on weekends to drink vodka and tell the stories behind his photos. During several visits I videotaped Khaldei at his mischevious best. I explained to him my interest in turning his photos, stories and the videotape into a multimedia presentation. He admitted that he did not understand computers but gave me his blessing. I began this project my first semester at ITP. In 1996, I went to Moscow and showed Khaldei an early version on a laptop computer. He was fascinated and encouraged me to continue.

I produced several versions of this project during my graduate studies, using it to refine my programming, interface and design skills.

Evgeny Khaldei died in in Moscow in October 1997 at the age of 81.