- USSR 1937 Paris pavilion
- Modernism
- Boris Iofan and Vera Mukhina
- Paris, France
- 1937
Description
The 1937 Paris Pavilion was one of the most contradicting exhibits of the World’s fairs because both German Fascism and Soviet Communism were located across from each other. The Soviet government wanted to stress the importance of strength against its rival. This was mainly shown by providing the visitors with modern symbols like a statue at the top of the building. The statue encapsulates a mythical working class with a hammer and sickle enabled by the Soviet party. Another critical element was the element of communism as a savior. This was visually acknowledged at night where imagery of the statue was designed to shine bright as if they were holy.
Another key point about this building was how the Soviet exhibition represented creative freedom of the artists and architects as the “the liberated ones “(Frank Lloyd Wright). This is because, at the time of this creation, it was assumed that Soviet communism was the freest society. However, I would argue that it wasn’t free at all because the architects and artists Boris Lofan and Vera Mukhina were only allowed to propagate a dominating or victorious image of communism and not show its flaws. This might include the positive image of collectivism which we now know caused millions to starve.
- Contrasting ideologies (i.e. Soviet communism vs German Fascism)
- Statue propagating Soviet communism as a savior
- The tension that is present in the space such as the need to present Soviet propaganda
Detail drawing and close up exterior
Exterior of the open of the fair
Cartoon detail drawing
After much searching I couldn’t find any floor plans, sections, and interior images
Detail
Unlike most of the buildings we will likely cover in this class, this building was designed to be temporary, which made it difficult to find photos of this structure.
Diagram
Self made diagram of interior movement
I roughly based it on what was described as there were no plans or images of the interior as the exterior was the more remarkable part of the design.
Google Map
