Soviet Metro Stations

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Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev described the Metro as something supernatural, reflecting its unique role in the Soviet Union's cultural landscape. Unlike the straightforward systems of London, Paris, or New York, these Metro networks, built between the 1930s and 1980s, served as propaganda artworks, merging sculpture, architecture, and art with styles from Byzantine to constructivist. They embodied the vision of communism as a 'communal luxury' for all, representing a tangible realization of a Soviet utopia. Canadian photographer Christopher Herwig, following his acclaimed exploration of 'Soviet Bus Stops', undertook a subterranean journey to photograph the Metro stations across the former USSR. His work captures the striking contrast between opulent marble and chandeliers and stark, minimalist designs. 'Soviet Metro Stations' showcases the diverse architectural styles and elements that define this unique Soviet experience, including neon, concrete, escalators, signage, mosaics, and relief sculptures. The book also features an essay by prominent architectural and political writer Owen Hatherley, known for his insightful works on post-Soviet landscapes.