Soviet Bus Stops. Volume II

Synopsis

A follow-up to the hugely successful Soviet Bus Stops, with new photographs of bus stops in Russia, Crimea, Georgia and Ukraine.

Christopher Herwig has an insatiable appetite for 'Soviet Bus Stops'. After the popular and critical success of his first book, Herwig has returned to the former Soviet Union to hunt for more. In this second volume, as well as discovering new stops in the remotest areas of Georgia and Ukraine, Herwig turns his camera to Russia itself. Following exhaustive research, he drove 15,000 km from coast to coast across the largest country in the world, in pursuit of new examples of this singular architectural form. A foreword by renowned architecture and culture critic Owen Hatherley reveals new information on the origins of the Soviet bus stop. Examining the government policy that allowed these 'small architectural forms' to flourish, he explains how they reflected Soviet values, and how ultimately they remained - despite their incredible individuality - far-flung outposts of Soviet ideology. The diversity of architectural approaches is staggering: juxtaposed alongside a slew of audacious modern and brutal designs, there are bus stops shaped as trains, birds, light bulbs, rockets, castles, even a bus stop incorporating a statue of St George slaying the dragon. Essential companion to the first volume, this book provides a valuable document of these important and previously overlooked constructions.

Summary

Chapter 1: Decline and Fall

This chapter examines the decline of Soviet bus stops after the USSR's collapse. It highlights the neglect and abandonment of these once-important public spaces.

Real Example: The dilapidated bus stop in a remote Siberian village, with crumbling concrete, faded paint, and broken windows, reflecting the decay of the surrounding community.

Chapter 2: Relics of a Lost Era

The second chapter explores the symbolic significance of bus stops as relics of the Soviet past. It discusses how these structures continue to evoke memories and emotions from that era.

Real Example: A well-preserved bus stop in a small Estonian town, adorned with intricate Soviet-era murals and inscriptions, serving as a tangible link to a bygone time.

Chapter 3: Spaces of Social Interaction

This chapter analyzes the role of bus stops as social spaces in Soviet and post-Soviet society. It explores how these places facilitate encounters, conversations, and a sense of community.

Real Example: The bustling bus stop in a busy Moscow suburb, where commuters gather, chat, and exchange news, creating a vibrant social atmosphere.

Chapter 4: Artistic Expressions

The fourth chapter examines the artistic potential of Soviet bus stops. It discusses how these structures have been used as canvases for graffiti, murals, and other forms of street art.

Real Example: An elaborately decorated bus stop in Ukraine, featuring intricate mosaics and sculptures that transform it into a unique public artwork.

Chapter 5: New Meanings and Uses

This chapter explores the ways in which bus stops have been repurposed and reinterpreted in the post-Soviet era. It discusses how these structures have taken on new roles, such as community meeting places, small businesses, or even shelters for the homeless.

Real Example: A converted bus stop in a rural Bulgarian village, now used as a community center, offering a library, computer classes, and other services to the local population.

Chapter 6: Bus Stops as Historical Markers

The final chapter examines the historical significance of Soviet bus stops. It argues that these structures provide insights into the social, cultural, and political changes that have occurred in this region over the past century.

Real Example: A preserved bus stop on the outskirts of Moscow, serving as a poignant reminder of the Soviet-era industrialization drive and the lives of those who lived and worked in the area.