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Fotima Abdurakhmanova |
New from DOM publishers:
Fotima Abdurakhmanova
Art for Architecture Tashkent / Toshkent
Monumental art from 1950 forwards
Following the devastating earthquake in Tashkent in April 1966, the Soviet rebuilding program not only triggered an unprecedented surge of innovation in serial construction, but also led to a density and diversity of architectural art that is unique worldwide. This includes magnificent facade mosaics, colourful reliefs, and sculptures on or in front of buildings. While ornate facades on residential buildings can also be found in other formerly socialist cities such as East Berlin, Bishkek, or Baku, they are nowhere else present in this quality and quantity.
This meticulously researched city guide, Art for Architecture Tashkent / Toshkent, explores the rich artistic heritage of the post-Stalin era, which is often closely intertwined with the architecture. Tashkent-born author Fotima Abdurakhmanova guides the reader through 140 selected works: the most remarkable metro stations, the decorated walls of both residential and public buildings, and a few hidden gems. Roughly a third of the book is dedicated to the mosaics of the brothers Alexander, Nikolai, and Pyotr Jarsky, who were the most influential artists in Tashkent after the earthquake. They developed new techniques and a distinctive artistic style. Other prominent figures also skilfully combined political statements with traditional and regional motifs and modernist design. These include Vladimir Chub, Yakov Shapiro, Yury Zaitsev, and Irena Lipienė. They pioneered cost-effective yet aesthetically profound wall coverings, bas-reliefs, and lighting designs.
Fotima Abdurakhmanova is one of the few experts in this field. For several years now, she has been collecting and documenting artworks threatened by decay – or those that no longer exist – and offering themed city tours. She is committed to ensuring that the cultural and historical significance of these monuments is recognised. In this volume, she has compiled the most important of the approximately 500 projects she has documented to date, for art lovers, architects, and historians, as well as for interested travellers. A thorough study of this phenomenon is still pending.
 © Philipp Meuser |
 © Philipp Meuser |
 © Fotima Abdurakhmanova |
The Architectural Guides by DOM publishers are handy travel companions for readers interested in architecture and culture. Projects are carefully selected and researched to make each individual book a ready work of reference, while background information and attractive design inspire armchair travellers to imaginary journeys. The series has received several awards which led to DOM publishers being presented with the Deutscher Verlagspreis (German Publisher Award) in 2020 and 2022. Further information at: dom-publishers.com
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