In recent years Roman Bezjak has been intensively studying the theme of Socialist Modernism. He took the last series of photographs in Tashkent, in a “city as a symbol of Soviet modernity and an open-air museum of socialist architecture”. In this experimental laboratory of modern architecture, only the countless prefabricated buildings remain in their original condition today.
The devastating earthquake of 1966 enabled the emergence of an open-air museum of socialist architecture in Tashkent. Urban planners were able to realize their vision of a new city as a symbol of Soviet modernity in Asia. In this experimental laboratory of modern architecture, only the countless prefabricated buildings remain in their original condition today. The architects and building artists virtuously combined constructional requirements with local traditions. Oriental mosaic ornaments decorate the windowless gable facades of the prefabricated buildings. The facade designs of the long sides take into account the hot climatic conditions of the region with their concrete ornaments that serve as sunshades.
Author / Photographs: Roman Bezjak, 2005 – 2013
Senior Curator:: MiJung LEE
Book Design: JiYoung KIM
Published by: GoEun Museum of Photography, Busan. South-Korea
First edition: 2019
Pages: 174
40 images Socialist Modernism
43 images Pyongyang
ISBN 978-89-6956-036-0
