Bright Spaces: Russian Metro Stations, Theaters, Palaces
Arbatskaya metro station, Moscow.
Construction on the Moscow Metro was initially postponed by World War I, the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War, but it opened successfully in 1935 with a single train line and 13 station stops.
The St. Petersburg Metro officially opened on Nov. 15, 1955, with seven stations initially.
Building of the underground train network was a massive undertaking, both of engineering and design. Soviet workers provided the labor and architects incorporated the design concept of "svet" (light) and "sveltloe budushchee" (a bright future). The stations boast high vaulted ceilings, intricate light fixtures, polished marble and stained glass.
To this day, they are testament to the Soviet Union's extravagant architectural ambition.
David Burdeny's photographic series of Russian metro stations, theaters, museums and palaces capture these impressive spaces devoid of life, yet replete with light.
Construction on the Moscow Metro was initially postponed by World War I, the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War, but it opened successfully in 1935 with a single train line and 13 station stops.
The St. Petersburg Metro officially opened on Nov. 15, 1955, with seven stations initially.
Building of the underground train network was a massive undertaking, both of engineering and design. Soviet workers provided the labor and architects incorporated the design concept of "svet" (light) and "sveltloe budushchee" (a bright future). The stations boast high vaulted ceilings, intricate light fixtures, polished marble and stained glass.
To this day, they are testament to the Soviet Union's extravagant architectural ambition.
David Burdeny's photographic series of Russian metro stations, theaters, museums and palaces capture these impressive spaces devoid of life, yet replete with light.
David Burdeny / For MT
Avtovo metro station, St. Petersburg.
David Burdeny / For MT
Amber Room in the Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg.
David Burdeny / For MT
Jordan Staircase of the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg.
David Burdeny / For MT
Kievskaya metro station, Moscow.
David Burdeny / For MT
Komsomolskaya metro station, Moscow.
David Burdeny / For MT
The Mikhailovsky Theater, St. Petersburg.
David Burdeny / For MT
Red Room of the Yusupov Palace, St. Petersburg.
David Burdeny / For MT
Taganskaya metro station, Moscow.
David Burdeny / For MT
Theater at the Yusupov Palace, St. Petersburg.
David Burdeny / For MT