The Museum of Moscow presents an exhibition entitled "The Clarity of Aim", devoted to the architecture of the mid-20th century. The title of the exhibition reflects the idea of the whole period: "The aim is clear", but unattainable.
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Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
Contemporary Russian photographer Mikhail Rozanov recreates the image of Soviet architecture literally piece by piece. His eye is caught by the strangely symmetrical compositions of the finest examples of Stalin's empire style: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Frunze Military Academy and, above all, the All-Russia Exhibition Center (VDNKh).
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
The architecture of Soviet times is not just a monument to the epoch, but also an illustration of the social ideals of the Kremlin’s former leaders.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
Stalin’s empire style was spread during his rule (1933-1953). Some experts consider it to be a variation of art deco.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
This architectural style was clearly derived from the French empire style of Napoleon Bonaparte. Early 19th-century France saw a drive to impart the splendor of ancient Rome to towns and cities across the country.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
Turrets, spires, fountains, arabesques, Greek columns and statues are typical of the city’s main artery.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
Among the far-reaching programs of the first Stalinist five-year plans, the General Plan for the reconstruction of Moscow, adopted in 1935, overshadowed all others in terms of grandeur. Under the plan, Moscow was to be transformed into the model capital of the world's first socialist state.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
In 1936, the annual Agricultural Exhibition took place on an empty field north of Moscow. By 1939, more than 250 pavilions had been built over an area of 1.36 square kilometers. The pavilions were created in the national styles of Soviet republics and regions — a stroll around the exhibition was like a mini-tour of this vast country.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
VDNKh echoes the idea of politicized art and, vice versa, aestheticized politics, which was an important motive in Soviet mythology.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
Now the relics of this architectural complex remind us of the idealistic future that people in the 1930s anticipated. Yet this utopian image stands in stark contrast to the mass purges under Stalin's regime.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
The Museum of Moscow presents an exhibition entitled "The Clarity of Aim", devoted to the architecture of the mid-20th century. The title of the exhibition reflects the idea of the whole period: "The aim is clear", but unattainable.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
The ideal symmetry of the pictured objects seems even more terrifying in the present knowledge that so many lives were sacrificed for this ephemeral perfection.
Mikhail Rozanov, Courtesy of the Museum of Moscow
"Soviet architecture is beautiful and impressive, but today we understand that all this glory was just a fairy tale, and these architectural chefs-d'oeuvre were no more than a decoration for the happiness that would never come true. It is a story about the unattainability of happiness," says the photographer.
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