Interieur van metrostation Sokolniki 1930 - 1935

This photograph captures the Interieur van metrostation Sokolniki, though its maker and exact date remain unknown. The architecture reveals its materiality and speaks to the social context of its time. The image showcases a grand interior constructed with stone and metal. The columns and walls, possibly clad in marble, display a high degree of craftsmanship. It's not just about aesthetics; the choice of materials conveys a sense of permanence, stability, and power – values closely associated with the political ideology of the time. Consider the labor involved in quarrying, transporting, and installing these materials. The photograph offers insight into the Soviet Union's industrial ambitions, and also raises questions about the lives of the workers who realized this design. By looking closely at the material and making of this metro station, we can understand how they’re tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, and appreciate the amount of work involved in its production.