The dark turn in Chernikhov’s late works,
the architectural necropolis
after the onset of Stalinism

Almost gothic.

I found myself back in the sepulchral city resenting the sight of people hurrying through the streets to filch a little money from each other, to devour their infamous cookery, to gulp their unwholesome beer, to dream their insignificant and silly dreams. Their bearing, which was simply the bearing of commonplace individuals going about their business in the assurance of perfect safety, was offensive to me like the outrageous flauntings of folly in the face of a danger it is unable to comprehend.  —Conrad, The Heart of Darkness

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Chernikhov’s dark turn after Stalinism

Avant-gardist Iakov Chernikhov, from his dark, Gothic turn after Stalinism