Communist Gothic: Architecture by Yakov Chernikhov

"QUANTUM SHOT" #184

The Soaring Palaces of Communism, in Gothic Style

Dreamed up by talented Russian architect Yakov Chernikhov in the 30s and 40s, these extraordinary sketches might have been turned into something more substantial during Stalin's time (in a much scaled down version, of course). Given the tyrant's love of absurd grandiosity, if his regime has lasted longer, we could've observed typically impersonal communist architecture transformed into something... intricate and gothic.
Only too appropriate for the "Evil Empire", the colossal Palaces and Pantheons would dominate the city, squash the last vestiges of soul, and yet strangely excite in their surreal dark presence.

Architecture, interior Design, Renovation

Yakov Chernikhov’s architectural fantasies fall into several series, from a somewhat abstract one in the 20s (influenced by the Russian avant-garde movement) to the romantic "Architectural Fairy Tales" experiments in the 40s.

More after the jump:

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A few examples of his early work:

These works are greatly prized by collectors: an estimated price for one of Yakov's series at Christie's auction house is more than 5 million dollars... if only the auction would continue. It turns out that more than a hundred of Yakov Chernikov's sketches were recently stolen from the Russian museum (in one the biggest art heists in Russia), and some have reappeared at Christie's - now brought back to Russia and the auction stopped. The rest of "Communist Palatial Dreams" series is still missing and wanted for an enormous reward.

Sources: Yakov Chernikhov, 1930-1943, Rg.ru, Archi.ru

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