History of Saint-Petersburg: The exhibition “Festive decoration of the city. 1918-1930s”

The exhibition "The festive decoration of the city. 1918-1930s" is opened on November 5, 2015 at the Museum of St. Petersburg avant-garde.

The exhibition is devoted to the festive decoration of Petrograd-Leningrad to the revolutionary holidays in 1918-1932. It presents the author's sketches of artistic and decorative urban space, as well as photographs, paintings and drawings, postcards, depicting the celebration of the anniversary of the October Revolution and the 1st of May on the squares and streets of Petrograd-Leningrad. Most of the exhibits are demonstrated for the first time. 

A separate block at the exhibition presents works of art association "Young workers" (IZORAM) that has been developing experimental forms of arts and crafts in the second half of the 1920s - early 1930s. Group was led by M. S. Brodsky. It included artists who have not received professional education, most of them work in the factories. IZORAM designed the clubs, recreation centers, a variety of activities, including the decoration of the city which was engaged during holiday dates.

Photos captured decorated by artists of IZORAMA grand podium at Uritsky Square during the celebration of May 1 and November 7, 1931 and May 1, 1932. These are complex subject compositions, the theme of which was the world struggle against capitalism and imperialism.

The exposition also features the work of M. V. Matyushin in the house which now houses the Museum of St. Petersburg avant-garde - the sketch of decorative installations "New Life - the old way of life" for the celebration of May 1, 1931.