Friday, March 16, 2012

It IS A Small World Afterall



Take a trip back in time with this awesome 400 square feet model of Moscow! Created in 1977 by 300 workers for the 60th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, this is a very detailed depiction of the former USSR’s capital. This scaled piece of propaganda by Russian artist Efim Deshalyt was designed to be visited and admired, and ultimately to show that the Soviet Union’s capital was more magnificent than any Western capital.

Located in the city’s municipal building, the elaborate lighting system makes the model very realistic. There are lighting variations between daylight and night time. Also, every window is lit, even windows of the boats on the river. With no Soviet backing, the exhibit is now losing money, mainly due to the high electricity costs to keep it lit. Some workers wouldn’t mind seeing it destroyed, since it takes up so much space and electricity. While the model is no longer visited by loyal party members, it is visited by curious tourists who want a peek of the Soviet Moscow of yesteryear. It is currently for sale with an asking price of $3 million dollars.



2 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Maybe they can bury it with Lenin. Apparently they're thinking of planting him finally.

Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...

But isn't he like a tourist attraction. I would be choked if I went to Red Square and couldn't see him all preserved like a wax figure.