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InspirationPhotography

Photographer captures the beauty of Moscow's opulent Metro stations

Beneath the cold and wintry streets of Moscow, lies an opulent underworld of the city's extravagant metro stations, and Canadian creative David Burdeny is believed to be the first photographer ever to be allowed to shoot them after-hours when passengers have long gone home.

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Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the photographer and the Jennifer Kostuik gallery in Vancouver

Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the photographer and the Jennifer Kostuik gallery in Vancouver

Dating back to 1935, The Moscow and St. Petersburg Metro was one of the USSR’s most extravagant architectural projects. Under Stalin's direction, the architects were directed to introduce the concept of "svet" – light – and "sveltloe budushchee" – a bright future.

With their polished marble walls, high vaulted ceilings and ornate chandeliers, the Metro stations have been likened to an “artificial underground sun”. This underground paradise was to remind its riders that Stalin and his party had delivered something substantial to the people in return for their sacrifices.

Burdeny has themed the series around this notion showcasing his photographs of 20 of the metro stations along with various Russian museums, palaces and theatre interiors. Entitled Russia: A Bright Future, his photographs are on display at the Jennifer Kostuik gallery in Vancouver until 8 November 2015.

A symmetrical Moscow Metro station corridor with arched white ceiling, ornate brass chandeliers, decorative wall sconces and red marble panels lining the platform
A symmetrical Moscow Metro station corridor with golden arched ceilings, decorative stained-glass panels on either side, and pendant lights receding into the distance
A symmetrical Moscow Metro station with a bright yellow barrel-vaulted ceiling, ornate chandelier, white decorative mouldings and pale stone columns lining the platform
Symmetrical Moscow Metro station with ornate chandeliers, white marble walls, red and gold decorative borders, and religious iconography in vaulted ceiling panels
Symmetrical view of an opulent Moscow Metro station with ornate gold-framed archways, decorative wall panels, ornamental chandeliers and polished marble flooring extending into the distance
Symmetrical Moscow Metro station with ornate columns, elaborate brass chandeliers with blue glass, white coffered ceiling and polished marble floors stretching into the distance
Symmetrical Moscow Metro station corridor with arched ceilings, polished marble floors, ornate chandeliers and columns receding into the distance
Symmetrical view down a Moscow Metro station with mirrored ornate bronze sconces, white vaulted ceiling and central platform, photographed by David Burdeny
Symmetrical Moscow Metro station with rows of illuminated circular ceiling lights extending into the distance, polished floors and marble-clad walls on either side
A Moscow Metro station with a vaulted white ceiling, central support pillar, and symmetrical platform lit by soft peachy and blue tones
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