Unit 7 - The Moscow Underground

I was stumbling through the internets when I discovered this beautiful picture of what was apparently a Russian subway, and not just any subway, THE Moscow Metro. According to Wiki, it's the second most heavily trafficked subway system in the world, number one being the Twin Subway in Tokyo, Japan. The walls are covered with beautiful art, the light shines down from crystal chandeliers, and the fancy tile stretches in wondrous patterns throughout the subway. At first glance I didn't think it was a subway, but instead some kind of Russian mansion or art museum. Apparently the art there is "Socialist Realist" or "a style of realistic art which developed under Socialism in the Soviet Union and became a dominant style in other communist countries. Socialist realism is teleological-oriented style which has as its purpose the furtherance of the goals of socialism and communism." This whole complex that runs underneath the entire capital of Moscow is a testament to Russia's political history and the fact that Russians know how to make art and make it well.

Here are the pictures I stumbled upon; I especially like the strange stretched panoramic perspective.


And here is a link to more pictures if you would like to see:
[click me!]


And here's the wiki article if you want more info, and some more pictures are towards the bottom:
[click me!]