Architecture in the Age of Stalin

Paperny examines the evolution of architecture in Russia during the Stalinist period. Defining two conflicting trends--Culture One and Culture Two--that have alternately prevailed in Russian culture, the author argues that the shift away from the architectural avant-garde of the 1920s was not entirely the result of Stalin\'s will. Rather, he demonstrates how the aesthetic choices of Stalin and his architects were conditioned by the prevailing cultural mechanisms of the 1930s and 40s. Combining academic precision with engaging narrative, Paperny leads the reader through the remarkable trajectory of architectural and cultural transformation that marked a pivotal moment of Russia\'s history.

• Presents unique, previously unavailable textual and visual material • Written in an engaging manner, combining academic precision with personal anecdotes, jokes, and popular songs • Its singular conception of Russian history informs contemporary political discussions of the fate of Russian culture

Introduction; Part 1. Spreading-Hardening: 1. Beginning-end; 2. Movement-immobility; 3. Horizontal-vertical; 4. Uniform-hierarchical; Part II. Mechanism-Human: 5. Collective-individual; 6. Mechanical-living; 7. Abstractions-name; 8. Good-evil; Part III. Lyrical-Epic: 9. Mutism-word; 10. Improvisation-notation; 11. Efficacious-artistic; 12. Realism-truth; 13. Business-miracle; Conclusion: Destruction-creation; Chronology.

\'… what turned out to be even more pleasing than the high standard of the translation was its production quality. … Architecture in the Age of Stalin is still one of the most intelligent, stimulating, entertaining and insightful books on Soviet cultural history … This is not a book many people will agree with, but few can fail to be impressed by its wit, sharpness and intellectual daring.\' Revolutionary Russia