New Russian avant-garde art incarnation: suprematism and constructivism at three BCL stations

Architects “avant-gardized” these Big Circle Line stations. Suprematists and constructivists’ works inspired the design of Sokolniki, Mnevniki, and Khoroshevskaya stations.

“Upon the Moscow Mayor’s order, we treasure stations that are cultural heritage sites and  will also take good care of new ones. The BCL stations are not only people-friendly and convenient, but also beautiful, each having its own unique architectural features and design. Sokolniki, Mnevniki, and Khoroshevskaya stations are devoted to Russian avant-gardists’ works. I am convinced that the Big Circle Line stations will be recognized as architectural landmarks in the future,” says Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Moscow Mayor for Transport.

A large decorative panel covering one of tunnel walls and a part of the ceiling at Sokolniki station was styled as Kazimir Malevich, Vladimir Tatlin, and El Lissitzky’s artworks.

Mnevniki station lobby and platform feature red decorative columns, whose design stems from works by Kazimir Malevich. In the middle of the platform, there is an arch inspired by his Red Square.

The eastern lobby of Khoroshevskaya station is decorated with suprematism compositions à la artworks by Kazimir Malevich, Alexander Rodchenko, Lyubov Popova, and Aleksandra Ekster. The design of the western lobby resembles works of notable constructivists, such as the Vesnin brothers, Moisei Ginzburg, Ilya Golosov, Ivan Leonidov, Nikolai Ladovsky, and Konstantin Melnikov.

Seven architect firms and more than 30 architects took part in designing new BCL stations. The design of six stations (Mnevniki, Terekhovo, Klenovy Bulvar, Nagatinsky Zaton, Rizhskaya, and Maryina Roshcha) was selected as part of international architectural competitions. Three architectural solutions (CSKA, Mnevniki, and Nizhegorodskaya stations) won Moscow awards.