Alexander Vesnin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Vesnin
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Photo by Alexander Rodchenko, 1924 (fragment)
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| Born | May 28 (16), 1883 Yuryevets
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| Died | September 7, 1959 Moscow
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| Nationality | Russian Empire, Soviet Union |
| Alma mater | Institute of Civil Engineers, Saint Petersburg |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | Vesnin brothers |
| Buildings | Dnieper Hydroelectric Station ZiL Palace of Culture |
Alexander Aleksandrovich Vesnin (Russian: Александр Александрович Веснин) (born 1883 in Yuryevets, died 1959 in Moscow) was a very important Russian architect. He worked with his brothers, Leonid and Viktor. Together, they were leaders of a cool and modern style of building called Constructivist architecture.
Alexander Vesnin was famous for his detailed drawings, especially his Leningrad Pravda project from 1924. Besides being an architect, he also designed sets for plays and painted. He often worked with artist Lyubov Popova on designs for big public events and for the theatre of Tairov.
In 1921, he showed his art in a special exhibition called 5x5=25. He also led a group of architects called the OSA Group with Moisei Ginzburg. The Vesnin brothers designed many buildings in the 1920s. These included large department stores, a club for former political prisoners, and the Likachev Works Palace of Culture in Moscow.
Vesnin really liked the work of another famous architect, Le Corbusier. He even called Le Corbusier's Tsentrosoyuz building "the best building constructed in Moscow for a century." Later, the Soviet Union started to prefer older, more traditional building styles. Because of this, Alexander Vesnin didn't get to work on many big new projects after that.
What is Constructivist Architecture?
Constructivist architecture was a new and exciting style that started in Russia in the 1920s. It focused on using modern materials like steel, glass, and concrete. Buildings in this style often looked like machines or factories.
The architects wanted their buildings to be useful and to show off new ideas. They believed that art and design should help build a new society. Their designs often had strong geometric shapes and open spaces.
Selected Projects
Here are some of the important projects Alexander Vesnin worked on:
- 1934: Commissariat of Heavy Industry Project
- 1930: Oilworkers' Club in Baku
- 1930-1936: Likachev Palace of Culture in Moscow
- 1928: House of Film Actors in Moscow
- 1926: Mostorg department store in Moscow
- 1924: Leningradskaya Pravda project
- 1922-1923: Palace of Labor project
Images for kids
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Abstract Composition. 1915c. M.T. Abraham Foundation
