As you will have probably already realised I have a particular interest in ruins and modernist architecture and recently I have come across this little gem and thought that I would share it with you in case anyone has time to pick it up before Christmas. This book by the photographer Fredric Chaubin reveals an until now relatively unknown period in Soviet architecture between 1970-1990 before the the fall of the Berlin Wall. The buildings that are illustrated show a eclectic sense of creativity that reflect a state in crisis with centralised power waning. The buildings are devoid of unifying features, however universally interesting and this book is a must have for anyone interested in architecture or Cold War history in general. Aside from enthusiasts it will entice just about anyone, as the buildings range from the sci-fi to the anthropomorphic and leave you wanting to book a cheap flight to Eastern Europe to seek them out... I am already planning mine! One thing is for sure, such buildings are in stone, glass and steel, what Orwell and Huxley revealed in text in their utopian/dystopian visions of the future. All I can say is make sure you put this book on your Father Christmas list this year!
No comments:
Post a Comment