Comments on: The Shapes of Things to Come http://dictatorshipoftheair.com/2007/10/16/the-shapes-of-things-to-come/ Russia History Culture Technology (and, of course, Aviation) Thu, 08 Apr 2010 04:28:50 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Scott Palmer http://dictatorshipoftheair.com/2007/10/16/the-shapes-of-things-to-come/comment-page-1/#comment-20697 Scott Palmer Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:56:38 +0000 http://dictatorshipoftheair.com/2007/10/16/the-shapes-of-things-to-come/#comment-20697 Many thanks for your comment! I reviewed Papernyi’s book a couple of years back for the <em>Canadian Journal of History</em>. As I noted then, I found it to be “consistently fascinating and occasionally frustrating.” The book is chock full of original insights and captivating anecdotes. I succeeds well in its goal of provoking readers with a challenging theory. I highly recommend it. But the book is not without its faults. It’s overly theoretical and speculative, and too frequently favors word play and mental associations over evidence and common sense. However, it remains essential reading. Your point about the Chechulin project for the Aeroflot building is well taken. I absolutely agree that the original design reflected the influence of aviation, though it strikes me more as “air-minded” (thematically tied to airplanes) than “aerodynamic” (designed to reflect streamlining.) Given its clear neoclassical influences it shares far more in common with the Stalinist “seven sisters” than Le Corbusier. Still, I do agree that one can find some examples of “aerodynamic” Soviet architectural projects. [In my defense, I did qualify my original statement!] One design which, I think, American and European streamliners would have identified with (they were also influenced by ocean liners) was this proposal for the Palace of Soviets drawn up in 1932 by K. S. Alabian, G. V. Kochar, A. G. Mordvinov, and V. N. Simbirtsev: http://www.wbb.ru/bimages/soviet.jpg Of course, it lost the competition. I’d be interested to see examples of Soviet streamlined industrial design. ScP Many thanks for your comment!

I reviewed Papernyi’s book a couple of years back for the Canadian Journal of History. As I noted then, I found it to be “consistently fascinating and occasionally frustrating.” The book is chock full of original insights and captivating anecdotes. I succeeds well in its goal of provoking readers with a challenging theory. I highly recommend it. But the book is not without its faults. It’s overly theoretical and speculative, and too frequently favors word play and mental associations over evidence and common sense. However, it remains essential reading.

Your point about the Chechulin project for the Aeroflot building is well taken. I absolutely agree that the original design reflected the influence of aviation, though it strikes me more as “air-minded” (thematically tied to airplanes) than “aerodynamic” (designed to reflect streamlining.) Given its clear neoclassical influences it shares far more in common with the Stalinist “seven sisters” than Le Corbusier.

Still, I do agree that one can find some examples of “aerodynamic” Soviet architectural projects. [In my defense, I did qualify my original statement!] One design which, I think, American and European streamliners would have identified with (they were also influenced by ocean liners) was this proposal for the Palace of Soviets drawn up in 1932 by K. S. Alabian, G. V. Kochar, A. G. Mordvinov, and V. N. Simbirtsev:

http://www.wbb.ru/bimages/soviet.jpg

Of course, it lost the competition.

I’d be interested to see examples of Soviet streamlined industrial design.

ScP

]]> By: apoivre http://dictatorshipoftheair.com/2007/10/16/the-shapes-of-things-to-come/comment-page-1/#comment-20616 apoivre Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:43:14 +0000 http://dictatorshipoftheair.com/2007/10/16/the-shapes-of-things-to-come/#comment-20616 The Soviets had their own version of streamlined design and architecture as well. What was ultimately built is another matter (see Paperny's excellent book Kultura-2 for more background info). Keeping in line with this blog's focus on aviation, here's Chechulin's project (1934) for Aeroflot's HQ (supposed to be built in front of Bielorussky Rail Terminus in Moscow): http://pics.livejournal.com/pregler/pic/000cqz13/ P.S. Note that the White House in Moscow - the one that Yeltsin defended in 1991 and shelled in 1993 - was ultimately based on this. The Soviets had their own version of streamlined design and architecture as well. What was ultimately built is another matter (see Paperny’s excellent book Kultura-2 for more background info). Keeping in line with this blog’s focus on aviation, here’s Chechulin’s project (1934) for Aeroflot’s HQ (supposed to be built in front of Bielorussky Rail Terminus in Moscow):

http://pics.livejournal.com/pregler/pic/000cqz13/

P.S. Note that the White House in Moscow – the one that Yeltsin defended in 1991 and shelled in 1993 – was ultimately based on this.

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