CCCP Cosmic Communist Constructions Photographed

One of the highlights of Christmas is receiving long wanted art books. This had been on my list for a long time and did not disappoint. It is a wonderful collection of photographs of Soviet era architecture the majority of which I have never seen. In stark contrast to the bland steel and glass of today here the spatial imagination has at times been given free reign. Frederic Chaubin's collection shows how architecture can be awe inspiring, powerful, dominating and thus a  reflection of a cultural and political will. The interiors are as exciting, with beautiful detail in some of the fittings, chandeliers, ceilings and wall coverings. Outside some constructions veer from the large scale functionality to stunning nature inspired abstraction.