Ukraine's overlooked modernist buildings are under threat from development decommunization and
war. Photographer Dmytro Soloviov has crossed Ukraine documenting them to form the most
comprehensive publication available on the subject. What does Ukrainian Modernist architecture
look like and why isn't it better-known in the west? Photographer and architectural tour guide
Dmytro Soloviov is fighting to preserve the disappearing modernist heritage of his native
Ukraine. These innovative buildings are an extraordinary blend of function avant-garde
aesthetics and ingenious design but despite these qualities they remain largely unrecognised.
This is a result of several factors including the stigma of belonging to the Soviet era
corruption neglect as well as the ongoing threat of destruction from both unscrupulous
developers and war. From masterpieces such as the Kyiv Crematorium and Salut Hotel to
previously undocumented examples like the Uzhhorod Airport Terminal and the Novoarkhanhelsk
Police Station Soloviov has traversed Ukraine photographing the exteriors and interiors of
these important buildings and their monumental art (mosaics stained glass and sculptures).
While the nation's attention is consumed by more existential matters he has documented the
unique identity of one of the least catalogued periods of Soviet architecture his images
forming a singular record of an unexpected and rapidly disappearing legacy. An introduction by
renowned architecture critic Owen Hatherley complete with historical images cements these
buildings in a cultural and political context. With over 120 examples across 240 pages this
publication is the most comprehensive available on the subject.
