Category Archive: Urban

Work by Marijan Mirt, Five observers, steel wire. The Legend Largest sculptural park in Russia

The Legend Largest sculptural park in Russia

Known in Russian as “Legenda”, the sculpture park “Legend” is, in fact, the largest sculptural park in Russia and one of the largest in the world. Located on the territory of the recreational complex “Chistiye Prudy” near the village of Ramzai in the Mokshan district of the Penza region, the park has become famous for many reasons. In particular, for the annual international sculpture symposia. Besides, the park “Legenda” has 275 unique works of marble, granite, wood, metal and bronze. Noteworthy, the authors of these monuments and sculptural compositions – 178 sculptors from 59 countries.
Created in 2008 The “Legend” Park became a part of the International Sculptural Symposium “Autumn. Inspiration. Penza”, organized for private funds by Konstantin Mikhailovich Volkov, manager of the company “Rosstroy.”
First held on “Clean Ponds” (from 10 to 30 September 2008) symposium has become annual. Famous sculptors from 30 countries from all over the world came here (49 sculptors). During the symposium, the artists created sculptures from various sculptural materials on the theme “Motherhood and family”. And later the park was given the name “Legend”.
More »

Symbolic for Vakhtangov Theater, Capricious Princess Turandot fountain sculpture. Author – Alexander Nikolaevich Burganov (born March 20, 1935)

Capricious Princess Turandot fountain sculpture

Who is Princess Turandot? According to legend, Turandot is the proud and self-willed daughter of the Chinese Emperor Altoom. In general, she is famous for her refuses to marry. And the reason is that she is sure that all men are “insidious, deceitful in heart, and they can not love.” So, to avoid a hated marriage and not upset her father, who because of her led many wars, Turandot comes up with a cunning plan. In particular, she asks to inform everyone that any prince may have a chance to marry her. But provided that she will offer the applicant three riddles, and a prince who can solve the riddles will become her husband. However, who won’t be able to solve them – will lose his head.
Meanwhile, the golden sculpture of the princess is part of the fountain, known as the “Princess Turandot” Fountain. Located on Arbat Street in Moscow, the fountain appeared in 1997 in front of the entrance of the E.Vakhtangov Theater. In addition, it commemorates the 850th anniversary of Moscow and the 75th anniversary of the production of “The Princess Turandot” by Carlo Gozzi’s fairy tale.
More »

Inspired by the painting of of Peter Brueghel the Elder ‘The Parable of the Blind’ monument in the Hague. Blindness and blind people monuments

Blindness and blind people monuments
“The Parable of the Blind” is a picture of Peter Brueghel the Elder. Other names are “Blind”, “Parabola of the Blind”, “Blind Leading the Blind”. The picture shows six blind men, who move forward in a chain, holding each other. The first blind leader who walks first stumbles and, together with the staff, falls into the pit. Following him blind, falls on him. The third, associated with the second staff, will also follow its predecessors. The fifth and sixth do not yet know anything, but they inevitably must be in the pit behind their companions. In fact, the picture depicts the biblical parable of the blind: “If a blind man leads a blind man, they both fall into a pit.”
And the monument is in The Hague. Here, Russian artist Alexander Taratynov has created the sculptural versions of the most famous painting.
Meanwhile, installed in different cities of Russia, monuments to blind people remind us that among us live people who need our help. By the way, among the notable dates reminding us about blind people is The International Day of the White Cane. It is an attempt to equalize the rights of the disabled and the conditionally healthy, to allow the first to feel full, and the second – to try on the life of a person without vision.
More »

On the iconic painting by Gustav Klimt, Kiss monument in St. Petersburg. World Kiss Day inspired monuments

World Kiss Day inspired monuments

6 July! Philematologists, it is your day. Do you know what “Philematology” is? Philematology is the science of kissing. And on July 6, there is a celebration – World Kiss Day. The holiday dedicated to the touch of the lips to someone with the help of which one can express feelings. Various feelings – expressing children’s innocence, motherly love, passion of lovers, and strong friendship. Its purpose is to remind people of the simple joy that a kiss carries in itself.
Meanwhile, in the world there are monuments to the kiss. And two of them are in St. Petersburg. First, created by sculptor Antonina Fatkhullina to the 310th anniversary of St. Petersburg. A sculpture depicting two birds decorates the Finnish side street. Another sculpture “Kiss” decorates Elagin Island next to the Stables yard. This three-dimensional embodiment of the classics of painting in sculpture, performed by the sculptor Alexander Mikhailovich Taratinov, based on the picture of Gustav Klimt’s “Kiss.”
More »

Needlework and cats rule the world. Mytishchi, Moscow region. Monuments to craftsmen all over the world

Monuments to craftsmen all over the world
Have you ever seen a real craftsman working on his creation? Did you ever see a weaver? The most real needlewoman, sitting behind a peasant weaving mill? Perhaps recently, and only in the form of a sculpture or monument. Indeed, the soulful faces of craftsmen who create magnificent lace, knitting and sewing inspire sculptors and artists.
However, today all over the world there is a surge in various female needlework, despite the fact that everything can be bought in the store. And this is not accidental. Women, apparently, subconsciously feel that when they knit, sew, embroider, create, it comes in harmony with their feminine nature. There comes a natural state of meditation, abstraction from problems. Handicrafts better than anything help to cope with anxiety and internal stress and get out of stress.
More »

Saransk, Russia. Sculptor Grigory Filatov. Dedicated to Family values monuments

Family values monuments
In 2008, officially recognized as the family year, in many cities of Russia appeared monuments dedicated to the family. Among them was the monument to a happy large family in Saransk, the capital of the Republic of Mordovia. However, the locals gave it the name “Endangered species”, most likely because it hints at not created families and families in which there is only one child. By the way, scientists claim that for a full-scale quantitative and qualitative increase in the country’s population, there must be at least three children in the family.
The author of the sculptural composition was the famous sculptor Grigory Filatov. Meanwhile, you can find the monument next to the Temple of Fedor Ushakov, at the intersection of Soviet and Democratic streets.
More »

A couple at the registry office Nagatinskiy. Romantic couples and Love monuments

Romantic couples and Love monuments
Love – too strong, although a short-term feeling, so people want to extend and capture it … At least in the form of monuments … Although there are many such monuments around the world, let’s get acquainted with the most interesting love monuments in Russia. And the first one is a couple at the registry office Nagatinskiy in Moscow region.
And some of the monuments hide the sad story behind them. For instance, in St. Petersburg, in the park on Butlerov Street 222, there is a monument to lovers. In the 19th century, Carl and Emilia lived here. Young people loved each other, but their parents did not allow them to marry. Desperate, they took their hands and jumped into the nearest Pond. Buried nearby, the couple still attracts attention of lovers. They bring flowers to their grave for almost a century.
More »