house of architect Alexander Mazanov (St. Petersburg) Alexander Mazanov

Passing the gallery

A photo: George Shablovsky

Material prepared: Dmitry Kopylov

Project author: Александр Мазанов

Magazine: N10 (55) 2001

What could be more beautiful than a "living" fire in the hearth? Only fire in the big hearth! With the advent of central heating, the indispensable and logical "center" of the home disappeared. Why is everyone so fond of gathering in the kitchen? A small light of gas stoves is able to give rise to a greater illusion of home It is difficult to imagine that someone in our time is able to create a real fairy tale. Mazanov made it seriously. And this is not just a demonstration of the latest world design achievements - light, furniture, appliances, etc. “Fabulousness” in this case is not just a metaphor, meaning skill. - I live in St. Petersburg - the city, as we know, is emphasized European. Sometimes it seems to me that it is more Europeanized than Europe itself, because it was built by the most prominent architectural masters of the time - geniuses, innovators, great artists from almost all countries where Peter “cut through” the windows. And yet it sometimes seems to me that the architectural magnificence of St. Petersburg is able to suppress, though in a good way - and give birth to the desire to create your own world. The architecture of my city makes a person more public, perhaps, not allowing him to be alone with him. I dreamed of my habitat, to embody those images that have been dear to me since childhood. So that I can say with confidence: "This is mine!" In the sense that I am surrounded by objects and things that are dear to me in spirit. I always dreamed of big, heavy gates, imagining that they were protecting the walls of a castle or fortress. And why should I not consider my home a fortress, such as an Englishman? Stability is what I wanted so much, what I aspired to and aspire to. Even among the numerous toys and figurines on the shelves of Mazanov, hippopotamuses dominate - beings are mighty and calm. It seems that in the house of Alexander they feel confident, in their place.