THROUGH THE RUSSIAN PRISM : ARCHITECTURE AND IDEOLOGY IN POST-SOVIET MOSCOW

Abstract

Aided by globalisation and the rampant spread of capitalism, cities in the world are growing increasingly similar. The emergence of this new order stands opposed to the city as a conscious creation of “nation”. In the context of Moscow, however, this tension is subverted as ideology holds a perverse sway over the landscape.

The point of departure for this paper is architecture as vision and as symbolism, and my object of study is the Crystal Island in Moscow, Russia. The Crystal Island evokes in its name visions of the spectacular. Its mix of programmes, self-sufficiency in resources and advanced climatic intelligence, together with its iconic qualities, exemplify the face of post-soviet Moscow. At the same time, however, these utopian visions are unable to take root as it is suffused with a heavy and monumental inner logic. I argue that while the Crystal Island portrays an image of lightness and clarity, undermining this vision is an ideology familiar of past eras.