STALIN'S VISION OF MOSCOW

[Jaga]

Here is a very interesting article. We talked a bit in the past about Stalin's vision. Here is more:

beautifulatrocities.com/archives/2005/04/stalins_vision.html

[Eric]

I know a lot of people who swam in the swimming pool that existed on that spot until the church was rebuilt. I think that between the church, the pool, and the planned Palace of Soviets, the pool had the most popularity.

[scatts]

I do have some admiration for this style of Soviet architecture but it is very repetitive after a while. The vast majority of buildings are either wedding cake Empire State buildings or massive rectangular blocks with decoration. At times there appears to be some copying going on, e.g. the residential building that looks like the Big Ben tower of the HoP in London and assorted Italian and Greek arches. I wonder if this is to do with:

1/ a general, national, lack of architectural imagination

2/ the fact that it is the same few architects designing everything

or

3/ that this is the only style Russian's like

Does anybody know?

[bescheid]

Certainly do not wish to unduly criticize, but I must agree with Ian on the design. It certainly possesses imagination. With out a benefit of close examination, it is difficult to form a correct opinion.

Of the drawing, it appears to lack proper function and more of a usage of state resources for a grandiose prospective.

A 100 meter statue of Lenin?

I think perhaps it will take at least 3 glasses of Vodka for that. But, perhaps maybe the floor plans are ingeniously laid out to compensate for the exterior.

But, I wish not to irriate Eric on this, so I would be very happy to share with him the top half of the flask of his choice.

Charles

[scatts]

Actually, reading my post again I see I missed stating the obvious which is that number 2/ is because these few people were Stalin / Lenin's favourites. In other words, the architecture is like that because that's what Stalin/Lenin liked.

[leslie]

I know that the Warszawians are not keen on the Palace of Kultur etc, but is it only because of its source or also its architecture. I admire its external architecture, but not internally where to me it is like a big barn. As I say I admire its external architecture, but I wonder whether I would continue to do so if I saw all the Russian buildings built along the same principle - as I understand many are (not having seen them myself) - I feel it would become rather monotonous if this were so. You can have too much of a good thing.
I once ran a training workshop in the 'Palace' and it was rather frightening in its emptiness, space and gloominess.
Leslie

PS Should this thread now be elsewhere as there are no photographs being shown?

PPS Oh ************ it has started pouring down with rain again - you will remember 'flaming' June Ian!

[scatts]

I think the origin is the main reason people don't like it, Leslie and you're right, its architecture would be more appealing if it wasn't for the fact that there are so many buildings very similar, if not identical.

I know what you mean about the thread but we'll leave it here as it started out with photos and the ongoing conversation is related. It's really the first 3-5 posts that should determine where a thread lies, almost all of them, of any length, wander off in all directions after that!