As usual, the month of May have brought me memoirs of Mayday and its connection of workers day, thus, its relation with proletariat, Stalinism and eclectic vision.
Communism; there is no sense of heroic to talk about it. But there is nothing wrong to be in the know. It is because, in 1991, the largest country that embraces had collapsed resulting in formation of Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and a bunch of other independent nations. If Soviet Union had triumphed, this ideology should have been perceived as the best thing. Today, our textbook talks about how ugly communism can be, restricting citizen from actively observe any religion.
Talking about socialism openly can make you dreaded unpopular, just like the case of Kassim Ahmad, a daring thinker whom openly stated that Hang Tuah is merely a blind follower of the Malacca Sultan. Instead Hang Jebat has a brain that calculates and rationalizes. A talk that would otherwise be a kedai kopi humor turned into a national controversy, with some parties suspecting Kassim of being mockingly subversive. Added that socialism comes naturally/almost spontaneously when absolute powers, per se, kings were brought down added more worries. Like a pure lime extract on fresh wound, it was in the 1970s that witnessed the tumultous period and uprising of the ‘normal people’ against monarchs and oligarchies.
Kassim Ahmad headed the PSRM ( Parti Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia ) then, he was then detained under ISA, before being released under Tun Dr. Mahathir premiership. Compassion had softened this thinker heart when he accepted invitation to join UMNO in 1986. This, however, upsets fellow patrons PSRM he used to led. Kassim Ahmad quit active politics in 1992.
Nothing much was heard about him today. He ages 73 as of this year. He never received much scholastic limelight neither invitations to any thinking convention. Perhaps, Kassim Ahmad is a man born with right thinking, but at a wrong place. Only God knows where he will be in years to come. It serves a reminder to all thinkers that being in crossroads of ideologies can be a life changing decision.
On national front, socialism might seem taboo and lethal to the societal fabric, Soviet however had pioneered it with enthusiasm.
Beginning from the Bolshevik takeover ( October uprising ), they hustled to create an identity that would have made the rest of the world recognize them as stable, superior and ideal nation runs on an ultimate ideology. Soviets had visions that are beyond wild imagination which any of budding architects would like to have a peek at.
Communism; there is no sense of heroic to talk about it. But there is nothing wrong to be in the know. It is because, in 1991, the largest country that embraces had collapsed resulting in formation of Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and a bunch of other independent nations. If Soviet Union had triumphed, this ideology should have been perceived as the best thing. Today, our textbook talks about how ugly communism can be, restricting citizen from actively observe any religion.Talking about socialism openly can make you dreaded unpopular, just like the case of Kassim Ahmad, a daring thinker whom openly stated that Hang Tuah is merely a blind follower of the Malacca Sultan. Instead Hang Jebat has a brain that calculates and rationalizes. A talk that would otherwise be a kedai kopi humor turned into a national controversy, with some parties suspecting Kassim of being mockingly subversive. Added that socialism comes naturally/almost spontaneously when absolute powers, per se, kings were brought down added more worries. Like a pure lime extract on fresh wound, it was in the 1970s that witnessed the tumultous period and uprising of the ‘normal people’ against monarchs and oligarchies.
Kassim Ahmad headed the PSRM ( Parti Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia ) then, he was then detained under ISA, before being released under Tun Dr. Mahathir premiership. Compassion had softened this thinker heart when he accepted invitation to join UMNO in 1986. This, however, upsets fellow patrons PSRM he used to led. Kassim Ahmad quit active politics in 1992.
Nothing much was heard about him today. He ages 73 as of this year. He never received much scholastic limelight neither invitations to any thinking convention. Perhaps, Kassim Ahmad is a man born with right thinking, but at a wrong place. Only God knows where he will be in years to come. It serves a reminder to all thinkers that being in crossroads of ideologies can be a life changing decision.
On national front, socialism might seem taboo and lethal to the societal fabric, Soviet however had pioneered it with enthusiasm.
Beginning from the Bolshevik takeover ( October uprising ), they hustled to create an identity that would have made the rest of the world recognize them as stable, superior and ideal nation runs on an ultimate ideology. Soviets had visions that are beyond wild imagination which any of budding architects would like to have a peek at.
Soviet Union during its formative years (1930-1950’s), seems to be a land of high ambitions and eclectic visionaries. They wanted to craft a country that as if it existed on its own planet. Pride above any measure which today we antagonizes it as fools pride. Indeed, their geographical influence covers more than 25% of the available land on the face of earth. It is of no wonder if they wanted to transform their landscape into an exotic state the planet has ever seen.
Like Hitler had ordered Albert Speer to create a metropolis that symbolizes the greatness of third Reich, Stalin ordered engineers and architects of his time to construct monumental structures that would capture the imagination of anyone who visits formative Soviet. Both had one thing in common; they never materialized. Nazi German fell and Soviet was engulfed with ever changing leadership reprioritization.
Like Hitler had ordered Albert Speer to create a metropolis that symbolizes the greatness of third Reich, Stalin ordered engineers and architects of his time to construct monumental structures that would capture the imagination of anyone who visits formative Soviet. Both had one thing in common; they never materialized. Nazi German fell and Soviet was engulfed with ever changing leadership reprioritization.
Stalin had apparent feared that the capitalist nation would look more prosperous and progressive with their shiny glass and steel skyscrapers. He feared the Soviet would look too inferior in the eye of world citizens. He desired a perception of socialism on communism means prosperity.
Stalin started the so called seven sisters project, carpeting Moscow with huge landmarks. Summoned seven teams of engineers and architects that made suggestions, drafts and proposals that is subject to Stalin personal approval. One of them would be the scrapped ‘Palace of Soviets’ ( picture right ). Stalin was confident that he could initiate a homebrew design without references to the American counterparts.
Innovation starts deep within academic institution roots; like the Russian Higher Arts and Technical Studios, known to the Soviet as VHUTEMAS, started under the decree of Vladimir Lenin, the predecessor of Stalin. Lenin was quick to realize that measure of great nation also determined their ability to effectively design things. In Spartan-like Soviet Union, everyone would expect they would build more military academies. At VHUTEMAS, budding Soviet designers were though multiple disciplines regarding design and constructivist way of doing things, in accordance to visions of equality and how working-class triumph over absolute powers. Stalin was unhesitant to pick up among the pool of talents.
Timing was incorrect when pieces of metalwork’s originally mend for foundations were dismantled for fortification as Soviet was enduring war with advancing Germany during the time. Stalin was a powerful figure until his death in 1953. When Nikita Khrushchev took over the helm, he cancelled the project for reasons of ‘past grandiose in necessities’
For a large country like that, nothing is too small. The proposed constructivist buildings were many. Here we witnessed many eclectic designs that would recall how Jetsons cityscape would look like on earth. The Commissariat of Heavy Industry, 1934 ( picture left ), included here is an artist impression of the towering structure with a group of Tupolev ANT20 super-aircraft gracefully hovering in the sky, a teaser poster glorifying Soviet industries might and flagship engineering product. Both cease to exist.
Apart from that, other entries were seriously considered, including the ambitious, gigantic and imaginative Konstanstin Melnikov’s proposal of figures holding gear wheels symbolizing the proletariat struggle in moving and thriving Soviet machinery of industries. The stairs leading to this building is tall and beyond practicality for any sane man to use them ( picture below, red background ). This project remained on paper.
In areas of architecture, the Soviet Union had nothing much to prove apart from supremacist and politically motivated aim. In terms of technology, their building was constructed with materials that usually stick to its bare form. A brutal approach per se where concrete were never adorned with ornamentation. Their foundation are heavier and needed deeper excavation than those of Americans, albeit, consuming more materials and costing more money per meter square.
Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, effectively dissolved in 1992 resulting in the formation of new nation along the Eastern Bloc of Europe. Today, when you visit Eastern European nation, traces of Soviet Union can be seen through their buildings. Socialism is still evident in their political system, although not much of communism. The collapse of Soviet left pretty much to be learned.
History never sided with those who lose the war/struggle. Soviet cold war with the United States had shown us that when there are two great powers escalate, we may choose sides and mistake in pledging allegiance may result in bad consequences. Kassim Ahmad may be the one who had constituted great time thinking about the mechanics of socialism; pros and cons. He perhaps, went to Soviet Union to study socialism. Instead, capitalism triumphed. Cold war has long ended and perhaps, the remnants Soviet Union loyalist can ponder how hammer&sickle grasp imagination of people nowadays with Sputnik, Yuri Gagarin, Mir space-station and the dog named Laika.
Stalin started the so called seven sisters project, carpeting Moscow with huge landmarks. Summoned seven teams of engineers and architects that made suggestions, drafts and proposals that is subject to Stalin personal approval. One of them would be the scrapped ‘Palace of Soviets’ ( picture right ). Stalin was confident that he could initiate a homebrew design without references to the American counterparts.
Innovation starts deep within academic institution roots; like the Russian Higher Arts and Technical Studios, known to the Soviet as VHUTEMAS, started under the decree of Vladimir Lenin, the predecessor of Stalin. Lenin was quick to realize that measure of great nation also determined their ability to effectively design things. In Spartan-like Soviet Union, everyone would expect they would build more military academies. At VHUTEMAS, budding Soviet designers were though multiple disciplines regarding design and constructivist way of doing things, in accordance to visions of equality and how working-class triumph over absolute powers. Stalin was unhesitant to pick up among the pool of talents.
Timing was incorrect when pieces of metalwork’s originally mend for foundations were dismantled for fortification as Soviet was enduring war with advancing Germany during the time. Stalin was a powerful figure until his death in 1953. When Nikita Khrushchev took over the helm, he cancelled the project for reasons of ‘past grandiose in necessities’
For a large country like that, nothing is too small. The proposed constructivist buildings were many. Here we witnessed many eclectic designs that would recall how Jetsons cityscape would look like on earth. The Commissariat of Heavy Industry, 1934 ( picture left ), included here is an artist impression of the towering structure with a group of Tupolev ANT20 super-aircraft gracefully hovering in the sky, a teaser poster glorifying Soviet industries might and flagship engineering product. Both cease to exist.Apart from that, other entries were seriously considered, including the ambitious, gigantic and imaginative Konstanstin Melnikov’s proposal of figures holding gear wheels symbolizing the proletariat struggle in moving and thriving Soviet machinery of industries. The stairs leading to this building is tall and beyond practicality for any sane man to use them ( picture below, red background ). This project remained on paper.
In areas of architecture, the Soviet Union had nothing much to prove apart from supremacist and politically motivated aim. In terms of technology, their building was constructed with materials that usually stick to its bare form. A brutal approach per se where concrete were never adorned with ornamentation. Their foundation are heavier and needed deeper excavation than those of Americans, albeit, consuming more materials and costing more money per meter square.
Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, effectively dissolved in 1992 resulting in the formation of new nation along the Eastern Bloc of Europe. Today, when you visit Eastern European nation, traces of Soviet Union can be seen through their buildings. Socialism is still evident in their political system, although not much of communism. The collapse of Soviet left pretty much to be learned.
History never sided with those who lose the war/struggle. Soviet cold war with the United States had shown us that when there are two great powers escalate, we may choose sides and mistake in pledging allegiance may result in bad consequences. Kassim Ahmad may be the one who had constituted great time thinking about the mechanics of socialism; pros and cons. He perhaps, went to Soviet Union to study socialism. Instead, capitalism triumphed. Cold war has long ended and perhaps, the remnants Soviet Union loyalist can ponder how hammer&sickle grasp imagination of people nowadays with Sputnik, Yuri Gagarin, Mir space-station and the dog named Laika.
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