Et Cetera

The building constructed in 2005 for the "Et Cetera" theater. I read at theater's site that the idea of the building appearance was offered by theater's art director  (most of our theaters have permanent buildings, director, troupe and repertory). Mr. Kaliagin wanted to mix all the architectural styles to symbolize the variety of theater's world. Yes, it looks very various...

Site of "Et Cetera" theater.

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Lines to Museums

The very long line is forming every day for almost two month to see the works of Salvador Dali in Pushkin's art museum, despite of cold and wind of Moscow autumn. I am proud for Muscovites!

As for me, after this photo, I went to "the private collections" part of the museum (Site in Eng)  to see Annie Leibovitz exhibition on ground floor. It was great experience. She is genius.
The number of visitors was very big too, I'm posting photo made at the closing time.
First and second floors are presenting Kandinsky and his group. So interesting. I promise to show them to you in nearest weeks.

Posted by Irina.

Library

A week ago my friend and I talked about the libraries in Moscow. Our latest "library experience" happened long ago, when we were students. So now we were not sure at all if (after all the changes in building policy, economics, education during last 20 years) libraries survived.
Besides, digital book readers became so popular and user-friendly with widest possibilities in books depository.
So I was glad to see today that the Turgenev's library at Bobrov side-street has all the lights on and many people attending.
It was constructed in 1885 and dedicated to writer Ivan Turgenev. It was the first generally accessible, free of charge library in the city. These days anyone with passport can sign up to the library.

Site of Turgenev's Library (in Rus).
 
And then I found the list of 283(!) libraries in the city. Good.

Do you go to the library? Are there many libraries in your city?


Google map.

Here I used "panorama" feature of my camera. And combined photos in Photoshop. Sorry for beginner's mistakes.

Posted by Irina.

Architecture: Stalin's Empire

The buildings of the period between 1933 - 1955 was later named "Stalin's Empire Style" in architecture and were combining classic look with Baroque decorations. Famous "seven sisters" were constructed in this style. Made of brick masonry.

Wiki about architecture of Stalin's period.

Posted by Irina.

Graffiti

Most of the graffiti I see on the city's walls do not inspire me to make a photo. But the waiter standing with his tea tray between the door and the window of the cafe looked so peaceful and human that the photo was urgently done.
Sorry for the cropped image, I did not want to include the autos.

Posted by Irina

Teremok

"Terem" (from "Teremnon" in Greek) in ancient Russian architecture is the richly decorated upper floor of the prince's mansion. "Teremok" is the smaller, fairy tale version of the building.

The mansin at the photo is office building, constructed in 1852 and located in the center of  city center.

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Face to Face

October is in the city. Days are grey and the sky is low. Rainy, but warm. City is coming to standstill in traffic jams and rain drops.

This narrow and short side street has two beautiful churches facing each other. I wonder if they compete in chiming.

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Elite Mansion

"Elite mansion for sale/rent" is written on the banner, hanging on this brick building. Is anyone here interested to buy?

I am a bit in a hurry these days, please forgive me for not visiting your lovely blogs!

Posted by Irina.

Tatlin

125 years ago V.Tatlin, the founder of Russian Constructivist art was born. Exhibition in Tretiakov gallery at Krimsky val shows 60 of his works of 2 decades in the beginning of 20th century.
(here you see the costume and playbill of the V.Khlebnikov's "Zangezi", directed, set designed and played by Tatlin, Tatlin's head sculpture and entrance poster with one of his paintings on it). 

Bonus photo shows the view from the gallery window.

Wiki about Tatlin (Eng).

Posted by Irina.

Prechistenka

This 3 window house is jammed between the 19th century apartment house on the left and Embassy of Luxemburg (being renovated at a moment) on the right, at the small Khruschev's side-street near Prechistenka. Amazing how this kind of buildings manages to survive.
I like its eyebrows.

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Zachatievsky Convent

I know that the number of churches in this blog is overwhelming, that it is not religious blog, that Moscow is big enough to find objects for interesting photos in thousands places, but I post the photo of church again. Just can not help it. So beautiful in the setting autumn sun.

The man in orange t-shirt is worker from Uzbekistan, Central Asia. So many of them are wage labourers in Moscow, doing simple and cheap work, cleaning, restoring, improving the city. I can not imagine how Moscow look without them in yards, roads and streets.

The church belongs to Zachatievsky convent. The convent was founded in 1584, plundered and closed in 1925 and resumed in 1995.

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Prechistenka

Today the weather was very kind, again. Sunny, warm and golden. I took a walk along Ostozhenka and Prechistenka streets, still full of architectural treasures (though the Golden Rain of 1990ties washed away so many priceless historical and cultural rarities, exchanged them to comfort and novelty).

I will keep posting my today's sunny catch during next week, though they promise sharp change in the weather in nearest future.

Google maps.

Posted by Irina.

Novy Manezh

"New Manezh" building was constructed in 1888 in pseudo-Russian style, popular in the end of 19th century by the "Society of electrical lighting". It served as power station and provided 120 Volt power for users delivering electricity through underground cables.
Since 1897, when the more powerful station was constructed on the other bank of Moskva-river, this building was abandoned and used as garages.

In 1995 ex-major Luzhkov transferred it to the possession of Ministry of culture and the building became art gallery "Novy Manezh".

Site of the gallery in Russian.

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Old Wooden House

Another one "Izba type" wooden building, survived 1917 revolution and modern times renovations.

Why road sign is crooked? I have possible explanation. Only one year ago according to the law the pedestrians became the priority at the road, instead of vehicles (cars should stop and allow people to cross the road). The new rule causes a lot of accidents at the roads when drivers stop abruptly to let people go and the following cars bump into them. Pedestrian's life has never been easy in Moscow..

Google map.
Posted by Irina.

Beware of the Dog!

Beware, fierce dog! (or "Beware of the fierce dog") - the sign can be read with both meanings.
The idea is to keep strangers away from the mysterious "something" behind this fence, in the yard of warehouse. Old Soviet signs are still popular here. I wonder if they are effective.
I head no dogs barking, though.

Posted by Irina.

Cafe

The tiny cafe at Nikitsky boulvard. 6 small tables, coffee smell, shop in the basement, and the blackboards, full of notes, sketches, thoughts, announcements, full of moments of life.

Link to cafe's website.
Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Autumn Sky

I think that only in autumn you can see here this combination of bright sunny color and dark dramatic sky. On a special object.
Archangelskoe, mid-September.

Posted by Irina.

Theme day: Mystery Object

Mathematics mystery object is hanging on wall. Pythagoras could be puzzled.

"Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday you buy 2 drinks and get the 3rd one for free (only in VIP-area!)"

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants