Monument to Sholokhov on Gogol Boulevard why horses.

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In Moscow, you can see two monuments to Mikhail Sholokhov, the author of The Quiet Flows the Don and a Nobel laureate. The first monument was erected in the early 2000s on Volzhsky Boulevard, created by sculptor Vladimir Glebov and architect Yuri Dremin. This Sholokhov is sitting on a boulder, and next to him, as a continuation of the sculptural composition, are the figures of Cossacks standing on patrol, in the image of one of them the hero of The Quiet Flows the Don, Grigory Melekhov, is recognized.

The second monument to Mikhail Sholokhov was erected in 2007 on Gogolevsky Boulevard, and this fact caused bewilderment and even rejection on the part of the city authorities - they say that the second monument to this writer of the times of socialist realism is not so necessary for Moscow. But, perhaps, the installation of this composition became very important for the sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov. Having created the monument, he completed the work of his father, the sculptor Iulian Rukavishnikov, who won the competition in the 80s, developed a project for the monument, but could not embody it in stone and bronze. His son won the competition again, the architect Igor Voskresensky helped him in his work.

The work of the father and son of the Rukavishnikovs is a complex sculptural group- complex both compositionally and in meaning. In this composition, the bronze writer sits in a boat, which is located on an inclined pedestal, reminiscent of a river wave. Behind the writer, as if in water, horses are swimming from the boat, only their heads are visible on the stone surface. Horses separated by a boat symbolize the inhabitants of Russia, forced to become "white" or "red" after civil war and revolution. The monument is also a fountain, and when water is supplied, the horses seem to float along a real river.

Despite the merits of the writer and such a complex plan, the monument was repeatedly wanted to be moved, and the water in the fountain is often absent.

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Location of the object Monument to M.A. Sholokhov on Gogolevsky Boulevard on the interactive geographical map. To see nearby attractions

There are two monuments to Sholokhov in Moscow. The first is located at the intersection of Volgogradsky Prospekt and Volzhsky Boulevard. The second appeared in Russian capital in 2007. It is installed on Gogol Boulevard. About the monument to Sholokhov, located not far from creative union artists, described in this article.

Julian Rukavishnikov

The monument to Sholokhov was planned to be erected back in the nineties. It was then that Julian Rukavishnikov began work on a monument depicting the author of The Quiet Flows the Don. The works of this sculptor adorn not only the capital, but also other cities. One of them is a monument to Chekhov in Taganrog.

Initially, the monument to Sholokhov was supposed to be located on Zubovskaya Square. However, the project was not approved. The work on the monument was continued by the master's son, no less famous sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov. The monument to Sholokhov on Gogolevsky Boulevard caused disapproval from critics. However, like many works famous sculptor.

Alexander Rukavishnikov

The sculptor is permanent member all-Russian and international exhibitions. His works are installed in Moscow, Vladimir region, Smolensk, Nizhny Novgorod and other cities of Russia. One of Rukavishnikov's works is a monument to Lenin in Copenhagen.

In 2000, on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, a sculptural composition, depicting the great clown and film actor Yuri Nikulin. In 2003, a monument to I. Kobzon was opened in Donetsk. Rukavishnikov is well known both in Russia and abroad.

In Moscow, near the State Russian library, there is a monument to Dostoevsky, installed in 1997. This work of Rukavishnikov caused stormy criticism. The Russian writer is presented in an unnatural pose, for which the Muscovites nicknamed this work of sculpture "At the reception at the proctologist". The residents of the capital did not appreciate the monument erected on the grave of Vladimir Vysotsky. As for the monument to Sholokhov on Gogolevsky Boulevard, it also has several unofficial names. One of them is a pet cemetery. What does the monument to Sholokhov look like? Why did he cause a storm of discontent among critics?

Monument to Sholokhov

So, the monument was opened in 2007. depicts a writer dressed in a padded jacket, sitting in a boat. Behind Sholokhov are swimming horses. Granite horses are conditionally divided into two groups, they diverge in a wedge different sides.

This sculptural composition today is the main attraction of Gogolevsky Boulevard, not counting the monument depicting the author " dead souls", installed here over sixty years ago.

The monument to Sholokhov is symbolic. Horses, according to the original idea, were to be painted white and red. They symbolize the people divided after the revolution into two camps - red and white. Among the swimming animals there is a foal that has not joined any of the "camps".

The writer is facing Sivtsev Vrazhek, where he lived for many years. At the same time, many believe that the place for the installation of the monument was chosen very unsuccessfully. The monument to Sholokhov is very close to Turgenev's house, which is illogical. In addition, as already mentioned, this is the second sculptural composition in Moscow dedicated to the Soviet prose writer. Sholokhov did not have much to do with Moscow, and therefore, as critics believe, one monument is enough.

Work on sculpture

Rukavishnikov was greatly assisted by the writer's relatives. They supplied him with photographs, advised him. The architect Voznesensky helped harmoniously fit the sculptural composition into the landscape of the boulevard. Next to the monument is a fountain, from where water should flow to the plates with horse heads. This gives the composition a realism. However, water is extremely rare.

Criticism

The monument has become one of the popular places for amateur photo shoots. Guests of the capital are happy to take pictures here. However, the critics are not silent. The monument, of course, will not be demolished. But the question of moving it to another place is not closed. Residents of nearby areas are accustomed to the monument, they often call it "slaughterhouse", and "meat plant".

Rukavishnikov is little concerned about the opinion of ordinary Muscovites. The nicknames with which the inhabitants of the capital endowed his works, in his opinion, illustrate their cultural level.

It is worth saying a few words about the boulevard, where the monument is erected, which caused a storm of indignation more than ten years ago.

Modern name this legendary Moscow street received in 1924. Previously, it was called Prechistensky Boulevard. Gogolevsky Boulevard has long history. Here are several tenement houses which are monuments of architecture.

The nearest metro station is Kropotkinskaya. Of course, the main attraction of the boulevard is the monument erected in 1952. The capital's jokers once said that the writer, depicted by the sculptor, is dressed only in Akaki Akakievich's overcoat. The author of this monument himself admitted that this was his most unsuccessful work. The opening of the monument was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Russian classic.

On Gogolevsky Boulevard relatively recently, on May 24, 2007, a monument to the great writer Mikhail Sholokhov was erected. The author is the sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov. This is the second monument to M. Sholokhov in Moscow - the first one was installed on Volzhsky Boulevard in 2002.

The monument is a bronze sculptural composition: the writer sits on oars in a boat, and behind him is a horse. They seem to float in different directions. According to the author's idea, this symbolizes the division into "whites" and "reds" during the civil war of the early 20th century. However, one foal is at a loss: he does not know which direction to choose. On the other side of the boulevard there is a bench with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the civil war. The symbolism is the same - from different sides - the red and white armies.

History of creation

The history of the creation of the monument dates back to the 80s of the 20th century, when a competition was announced for the design of the monument. famous writer Mikhail Sholokhov. The competition was won by the sculptor Iulian Rukavishnikov. He wanted the monument to be erected on Zubovskaya Square. However, the project was put on hold. Only 20 years later, the son of Iulian Rukavishnikov, Alexander, returned to his father's project, finalizing it.

The idea of ​​erecting a second monument to the writer in Moscow was ambiguously perceived by the public, which considered its location inappropriate. The fact is that M. Sholokhov practically did not live in Moscow, and Muscovites used to associate Gogolevsky Boulevard with classical literature 19th century, and not the 20th, in which the writer worked. Supporters of the monument explain its location by the fact that house 33 in Sivtsev Vrazhek Lane is located nearby, where the writer often lived since 1963 when he came from the Don.

The monument turned out to be very unusual. Critics considered that A. Rukavishnikov and the architect I. Voskresensky made the most of the terrain, and the symbols characterizing the turn of the era were impressive. The author of the monument himself considers the place chosen for it to be the right one - the writer looks at Sivtsev Vrazhek, where he once stopped in transit, and the slope of the boulevard is directed towards the Czartoryi stream, hidden under the asphalt. In the old days, he was famous for his unusually tough temper. It was here that the Sivka River flowed into it. Sholokhov, as it were, swims across this Czartory.

You can, of course, take a long time to explain the intentions of the authors with the stream or the writer's place of residence. But it is unlikely that people walking along Gogolevsky Boulevard or just passing by think so deeply. They only see what they see. And they have their own associations.

The fact is that a special system was provided for the monument, which included a fountain that allowed the “river” with horses to flow both in summer and in winter. Only the heads of the horses were supposed to peek out of the water. But for some reason the water was turned off. Now, behind the seated M. Sholokhov, the horses looked as if they had been rolled into concrete. Muscovites immediately dubbed the monument a “meat-packing plant” or an “animal cemetery.”

There are not so many monuments in Moscow that cause such a huge number of bewilderment and questions. Why did the author sculpt so many horses? Why is the plot cut off? And, most importantly - why is there a boat here? For many, she evokes associations with grandfather Mazai. In any case, one has to come to terms with Luzhkov's favorite sculptors - Tsereteli and Rukavishnikov. Photographers like to look for interesting angles here, and maybe someone, looking at the monument, will reach for the writer's volume to feel the full power of his literature.

How to get there:

The monument is located near the Kropotkinskaya metro station: exit to Gogolevsky Boulevard. Walk along the boulevard to the house of Sivtsev Vrazhek, 10.

The river is imitated by jets of water flowing down the slope of Gogolevsky Boulevard. Around the river, horses are swimming, symbolizing the "red" and "white". The heads of the "red" horses look in one direction, the heads of the "white" ones look in the other. And only one foal does not know where to swim. This symbolizes the split of society after the revolution into two hostile camps. And according to original intention the horses had to be red and white color and spread out in different directions. On the other side of the boulevard there is a bench with bas-reliefs of Civil War scenes.

They say that...... the nickname "Grandfather Mazai" firmly stuck to the monument to Sholokhov. In winter, enthusiasts mold hares into an empty boat. The second unofficial name of the monument is "Grandfather Mazai and Horses". The sculpture is also called "Slaughterhouse".
...one who touches the heads of the horses swimming behind the writer's boat will be able to overcome his fears.
... if you rub behind the right ear of one of the "red" horses, your cherished desire will come true.

A country: Russia

City: Moscow

Nearest metro: Kropotkinskaya

Was passed: 2007

Sculptor: Rukavishnikov A.I.

Architect: Voskresensky I.N.

Description

Monument to the famous popular writer, the creator of the work Quiet Don, Nobel laureate Mikhail Alexandrovich Sholokhov on Gogolevsky Boulevard presents a large bronze sculptural composition.

A bronze boat is installed on a stone pedestal covered with bronze. Mikhail Sholokhov is sitting in a padded jacket in a boat. On the pedestal there is a commemorative inscription: “To Mikhail Sholokhov”. The pedestal is part of the composition and represents a river along which Mikhail Alexandrovich floats in a boat.

Behind Sholokhov, horses are swimming in the river. They, having broken into two groups, blur in different directions, symbolize the division Russian people on reds and whites during the civil war in the early twentieth century.

The sculptural composition includes a fountain imitating the course of a river and a horse overcoming the current. The composition is continued by the paved part of Gogolevsky Boulevard, crossing it, it represents the Don River, along which Mikhail Sholokhov floats. The sculptural composition of the monument ends with a bronze bench.

History of creation

The history of the creation of the monument to Mikhail Sholokhov dates back to the 80s, when a competition was announced for the design of a monument to the great writer Mikhail Sholokhov. The project of the sculptor Iulian Rukavishnikov won the competition and, according to the idea, they wanted to install it on Zubovskaya Square, but the project was suspended. And only twenty years later, the son of Julian, Alexander Rukavishnikov, returned to his father's project, finalized it, and in 2007 a monument to Mikhail Sholokhov was erected on Gogolevsky Boulevard.

How to get there

Get to the Kropotkinskaya metro station and get off at the beginning of Gogolevsky Boulevard. Along the boulevard, go towards the center to house 10, where the branch of the Museum is located contemporary art. Here is located impressive monument Mikhail Sholokhov.