Lenin and GUM Photo

Photographer’s Note

The upmarket GUM department store reflects on Lenin's Mausoleum.

Russia's most famous shop was opened in 1893 and has a varied history. At the time of the Russian Revolution in 1917 it contained 1200 shops and was thought to be the biggest shop in the world. It was nationalised after the revolution and in 1928 Stalin turned it into office space for the committee in charge of his first 5year plan. In 1953 it was reopened as a department store which sold products which were in short supply elsewhere in Russia and long queues extending across Red Square were legendary.

At the end of the Soviet era it was privitised and today light beams through the glass ceiling on to the 3 tiers of arcades which house boutiques selling high fashion designer labels.

macondo, Kielia, fanni, alvaraalto, ilDottore, robjol, ang25, syrus_persia, jalab_temen trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

macondo (13205) 2008-08-24 4:33

Hi Marlene.
An interesting reflection shot, superimposing modern commercialism on Lenin's tomb. The straight-on composition and frame suit the subject well. I'm glad you caught some people in the scene. It loks like a pair of eyes, just above the door. I remember going to the GUM store in 1974, and being completely underwhelmed! But there were queues for the most basic items. The only 'fashion' was the Soviet version.
Regards,
Andrew

Kielia (8611) 2008-08-24 5:02

Hi Marlene,
excellent light and very beautiful colours in this phantastic reflections! Excellent framing. Really great art work. Congratulation!
Warm regards
Harriet

fanni (8737) 2008-08-24 5:03

Hello Marlene,
a very unusual, original view of two famous landmarks in Moscow! Interesting combination! I'm still pretty sure that only a foreigner can see Russia like this.
I was in the mausoleum twice: when I was 9 (an obligatory excursion organized by my school teachers) and in 1998 when I was showing a foreign guest about Moscow.
I remember that some years ago there still were motionless guards standing at the entrance to the Mausoleum, and I remember changing of the guards. It was quite a spectacular "performance"! I saw it twice and was amazed. Now the times are different...
very original reflection and juxtaposition!
best wishes from Moscow,
Elena

alvaraalto (5267) 2008-08-24 14:16

Hi Marlene,

Two pictures for the price of one. That is great work.
I always like this kind of reflections. Good work.

Groet Rob

sigur (338) 2008-08-24 19:29

Hi Marlene,

The reflections here make this an interesting and original shot. The combinination of the two landmarks in the one shot is clever. Well done.

Regards Simon

ilDottore (4004) 2008-08-25 4:28

Hello Marlene,
You show today tomb of real evil, man responsible for suffering and death of millions under bloody communist regime.
For all Polish people this place is the symbol of ultimate evil.
Thanks God, communism, Lenin, Stalin et consortes, they belong to the past.
Best Regards
Chris

dvlazar (6488) 2008-08-25 6:22

Amazing relfections from this interesting building reflecting another one which houses Lenin. The textures captured are most interesting.
Cheers,
Dave

gaby (19793) 2008-08-25 7:28

Hi Marlene,
Pirceless reflections and great image
very well done
Regards
Gaby

yedirenk (7495) 2008-08-26 2:19

Hi Marlene,
great point of view with superb reflections and details.also excellent texture.very good idea.very original shot.well done.TFS
Greetings

Cevdet

syrus_persia (2216) 2008-08-30 23:45

Salam Marlene
the good composition and colors.your note is good.
Thank you for your visit
cyrus

jmdias (19623) 2008-09-09 8:10

marlene

very nice pov showing the reflections in this wall. I liked the lines and the light. I guess I would prefer to crop off that upper side, concentrasting attention only in the door and walls. I think it would be more ellegant. anyway it is a nice work

hugs

jorge

jalab_temen (1990) 2008-09-15 5:24

Bonjour Marlene.
Yes, this is what I call art photo. technically perfect (sharp, well-composed, well balanced lights, realistic colours) and emotionally also (the message: the contrast between fin-de-siecle style of GUM and the cube of the mausoleum symbolizes the contrast between the principles of Lenin and the consumer oriented captalism; And the final conclusion is Lenin died, communism ended; GUM is noisy, capitalism is vivid in Moscow.)
I marked it as one of my favourites. Many thanks for sharing, Jalab

Stepan (27175) 2008-10-11 9:18

Strange visual effect. Makes the place a little strang and abstract. Almost artistic !?
Well seen and done.
Stéphane