Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Contest

I decided to do something a little different today, so I am conducting a contest. Well, it's a test of your knowledge, really. Here are some photographs that, if you can identify them, you will receive a completely useless very valuable souvenir of Vancouver. Many of you may have seen these before, since they were making the rounds of the internet via a PowerPoint presentation. Well, you guys are all so smart, I know it will take about -- oh -- ten minutes before someone gets it right. But it's fun to share them with folks who perhaps have not seen then before. If you're not familiar with them, you will surely be surprised when you find out what they are. I first saw them when Phinnaeus told me about them. He's very interested in architecture and urban planning. Needless to say, when I found out what they are -- and where they are located -- I was gobsmacked. So, here you are. You can click on them to enlarge them. Enjoy!









Well, that didn't take long. Jennifer at The New Victorians guessed correctly. These are pictures of the magnificent subway stations in the City of Moscow. I think often we have preconceived ideas about other countries, other cities, other places, and -- just as often -- our ideas are wrong. Many of us have imagined Russia, or at least the Soviet Union as it was called, to be utilitarian rather than aesthetically beautiful. Who knew!

And now I am off to tour our newly-opened
Canada Line on our rapid transit system. I'll take some pictures and videos to show you.

31 comments:

heartinsanfrancisco said...

No idea. They look like optical illusions, even like the same image doctored in different ways. I'll be watching to see what they are.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Kind of like the Palace of Versailles crossed with an airport.

:)

Jo said...

Hearts, they are not photoshopped or anything. They are real images. They're beautiful, aren't they?

Land of shimp said...

They are truly beautiful, and rather awe inspiring.

Jo, I'm not familiar with them at all. Are they of a train or subway station?

I have a feeling that I'm going to end up being terribly embarrassed, but that's what they look like to me, connecting tunnels, etc.

Rebecca said...

Are these the metro stations in Moscow?

Jo said...

Alane, you should not be embarrassed at all. You were very close...!

Jennifer, yes. I knew one of you smart folks out there would get it right away. :-)

PhilipH said...

I thought they might be the interior of a Martian flying saucer or spaceship.

Wonderful architecture and design. Art-deco-ish and a bit more!

Marguerite said...

Beautiful subway stations and photos! I didn't have a clue as to what they were and was quite surprised at the answer. Quite elaborate for Moscow!

Deb said...

Ya got me!!! My guess would be the train station as I've found, they are always very interesting.

Leslie: said...

Man, I didn't even have a chance! lol Can hardly wait to see your photos of the Canada Line! Where you heading?

Brenda said...

I had not seen these before, but I do love Russian Architecture, or what little I know about it. I used to have a silly fear of Russia when I was a child.

Rebecca said...

Thanks Jo! I've never won a contest before! I wasn't sure if I'd actually won, because you wrote Jennifer (my name is Rebecca!) but I just saw the comment you left on my blog. I feel a bit silly though - I don't really *need* a souvenir from Vancouver, seeing as I live so close... maybe you could save the prize and treat us to another contest? That was fun!

lovelyprism said...

Jeez it was over before I even read the post. Just as well, I didn't have a clue. I do love architecture though, I'm surprised I've never seen them. They're absolutely fabulous! So much detail.

Paula Slade said...

It took just a moment before I realized what the first picture was and where it was. I've been to Moscow several times but the first time was in 1972 and I was totally amazed when I saw these stations first hand. These photos look like many of the stations have been updated since 2000. Back in 72' there were crystal chandeliers as well as artwork.

Pear tree cottage! said...

O! I must live a sheltered life here I have no idea were they are - but they are wonderful.

(smiles) Lee-ann

robert said...

Thanking you for going 'underground' to provide us with such beautiful images.
With grand-parents from Russia, this was surely of interest.
Please have a nice new week.

Charles Gramlich said...

I would never have guessed Moscow. Very cool.

kenju said...

Absolutely fantastic!!

Bagman and Butler said...

I was thinking Alice in Wonderland but the Moscow Subway system, huh? I'll bet Stalin is still down there trying to figure out where the stairs are.

SparkleFarkel said...

Looks like my mother-in-law's bathroom. I was close.

Lay said...

Jo this is beautiful, I had never seen it before & probably will never have the opportunity to see it in person, but thanks to you I now know its there... I would have never guessed that that's what & where it was...Good idea!

Nicole said...

They are beautiful!

Nancy said...

It's beautiful. I think I'm guilty of the utiliarian biass.

TheChicGeek said...

Wow, those are beautiful, Jo. Thanks for sharing them with us :)
A good lesson not to pre-judge things too.
Thanks!
Have a Happy Day!

Russell said...

Well, you certainly would not mistake this place for an L (elevated train) station in Chicago...! Heh!!

These are certainly beautiful images.

Russell said...

Well, you certainly would not mistake this place for an L (elevated train) station in Chicago...! Heh!!

These are certainly beautiful images.

Canarybird said...

I have never been to Moscow but I did recognize the metro station right away on seeing the first photo. I've looked many times at pictures of this amazing place.

John said...

Absolutely beautiful photos! I was sure it was going to be something in Dubai!

Anonymous said...

I had no idea where or what these photos were until I saw the answer, but, the idea of a subway/underground came to mind. I would never have guessed Russia in a million years. Absolutely beautiful!

Dekie Hicks said...

How beautiful! I would love to see these in person some day. Thanks for posting this.

Roll said...

ahhaha how spun out, I was going to guess train stations, something about them reminded me of train stations I've been to before, in American and Australian cities, and also having been to train stations at quiet times I noticed that look of a place thats unusually empty.
Of course none of the train stations I've been to are as amazing as these! I've always thought Russian architecture was amazing and beautiful in its distinctive way.