Architecture of Russian pavilions at world exhibitions in the period from 1851 to 1911. Image and function

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the architecture of Russian pavilions at world exhibitions since the inauguration in 1851 of the famous London show and up to the last pre-war exhibition in Turin and Rome in 1911. Taking the London exhibition as the starting point, the author, by this example, explains the reasons for an appearance relatively soon of pavilion buildings, which immediately became an alternative to the construction of grandiose buildings at the world exhibitions. Since the Paris exhibition of 1867, Russia has been constantly represented by national constructions. Through the representation of their appearance, he traces a frequent, as is seen, change of vectors in the interpretation of the concept of “Russian style” by architects, and also pays attention to other equally intriguing metamorphoses in the functional purpose of those temporary structures in the context of international events.