st9fan

just a shnapshot from the car. yes, architecture is really interesting. i don't know when this building was built, but it has some interesting details. basically it's just a factory, though russians seem to like ornaments, which is originating from pre-revolutionary times (before 1917). St. Petersburg was built by Peter the Great, who collected influences from all around Europe. Today Russians rather seem to sympathize with their in fact feudalistic past, than contemporary tendencies. On the one hand "entertaining" on the other hand rather sad for young artists, architects, designers ...

Just to add a little bit more: I think it's not only "preservation" or "no space for young artists". Much more it seems to be the present state of society – the signs of a past, when Russia was powerful and strong are valued much more than intellectual traditions that happen to have their origin in times of insecurity, weakness and poverty (e.g. the revolutionary years from 1917 until the 30s of the last century). Much more than the truly revolutionary ideas in art, design, archicture etc. the remains of these years are being detested as they belong to a period that is being perceived as a period of failure. It comes as no surprise that Stalin still is being idolized in the minds of some people, whereas Lenin doesn't enjoy great sympathies (well, both of them did awful things and I wouldn't wish any of them to return ...).