Architecture, Propaganda, Revolution This exhibition is now over
Imagine Moscow
About the exhibition
Drawing on rarely seen material, Imagine Moscow presents an idealistic vision of the Soviet capital that was never realised. Large-scale architectural drawings are supported by artwork, propaganda and publications from the period. Taken together, these unbuilt projects suggest an alternative reality for the city, offering a unique insight into the culture of the time.
Each of the six projects presented in the exhibition introduce a theme relevant to life and ideology in the Soviet Union: collectivisation, urban planning, aviation, communication, industrialisation, communal living and recreation.
Imagine Moscow, photography by Luke Hayes
Imagine Moscow, photography by Luke Hayes
Imagine Moscow, photography by Luke Hayes
Imagine Moscow, photography by Luke Hayes
Imagine Moscow, photography by Luke Hayes
Imagine Moscow, photography by Luke Hayes
Imagine Moscow, photography by Luke Hayes
The Palace of the Soviets © Kellenberger–White
Cloud Iron © Kellenberger–White
Leonidov’s Lenin Institute © Kellenberger–White
Commissariat of Heavy Industry © Kellenberger–White
Health Factory © Kellenberger–White
Ladovsky’s Communal House © Kellenberger–White
Gustav Klutsis, Photomontage, lithography on paper, 1924, Ne boltai! Collection
Valentina Kulagina, We Build, 1930's, Ne boltai! Collection
Valentina Kulagina, Front cover design by Valentina Kulagina entitled 1st of May in ‘Krasnaya niva’ magazine, 1930, Ne boltai! Collection
Valentina Kulagina, To the Defence of the USSR, Poster, 1930, Ne boltai! Collection
Yakov Chernikov, Composition on a theme of an industrial area with buildings and metal constructions, 1924-33, paper, ink, gouache, pencil,whiting
Boris Iofan, Vladimir Shchuko and Vladimir Gelfreikh, Palace of the Soviets, 1944, pastel, watercolour, charcoal, pencil, paper. Tchoban Foundation.
El Lissitzky, Photo by the artist of his design ‘Cloud Iron'. Ground Plan. View from Strastnoy Boulevard’, 1925
El Lissitzky, Proun, 1922-23, gouache pencil on paper. Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven
What are they saying
"If you're a fan of Fritz Lang's futuristic Bauhaus- inspired science fiction film Metropolis, then you'll be a fan of Imagine Moscow :Architecture, Propaganda, Revolution" - Diary of a Londoness
"The most striking feature of Imagine Moscow is how contemporary the designs feel. The issues they address too. As the curator Eszter Steierhoffer, puts it: "They're grappling with infrastructure, globalisation, knowledge-sharing, the cult of a leader: many of the things we are grappling with today." And that's part of the fascination of what might have been" and of this exhibition - it helps us to see where we are" - The Times
"The imaginings of Moscow resemble new Jerusalems, and Lenin emerges as a kind of Jesus" - The Observer
"If you need an excuse to visit the Design Museum at its new home, head to Kensington for Imagine Moscow." - Sphere
"Imagine Moscow is both a fascinating look at a forgotten era and a scary interpretation of the present day and future" - Design Week
Booking information
Exhibition ticket prices
Adult £10
Student/concession £7.50*
Educational group booking price: £3-£7 per student (groups of 10 or more)
Family (1 adult + 3 children) £17
Family (2 adults + 3 children) £24
Child (6 - 15 years) £5
Children under 6 years free
Members free
Last exhibition entry 17:00
10% discount is applied when booking 10 or more tickets online. Alternatively, please contact the Bookings Office (Mon - Fri 10;00 to 17:00) on +44 20 3862 5937 or +44 20 3862 5900.
Become a member for unlimited free entry to all exhibitions.
*Concession tickets include seniors (over 60 years), disabled people and job seekers.
This exhibition is now over
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