Lviv is traditionally associated with magnificent architectural ensembles of the Renaissance, Baroque or Secession; however, during the existence of the Soviet Union, numerous areas of mass residential construction appeared in the style of socialist realism.
Radical changes in the architectural space of Lviv began in the 1950s. Large-scale structures made of concrete, metal and glass were quickly "integrated" into the city structure.
The dominant principle of the infrastructure of the Soviet era was functionalism. However, to make up for the lack of aestheticism, architects began to use variations of artistic works: mosaics, bas-reliefs, stained-glass, etc.
Mosaic became one of the characteristic features of Soviet modernism. Mosaics are a part of monumental art and an important part of cultural and historical heritage.
Traditionally, smalt, metal, and glass were used for mosaics and later - ceramic tiles.
As a socialist art, Soviet mural painting was at one time a tool of ideological propaganda, but at the same time, such conditions became a reason for experiments.
That's right because some artists purposefully turned to traditional subjects and national motifs.
Today, mosaic, as a part of socialist art - is a subject of decommunization or an urban identity. In addition, illegal construction and arbitrary destruction of mosaic reliefs cause significant damage.
However, mosaics are a part of public art, a part of the monumental culture, not only in terms of artistic value but also as a cultural resource.
Interesting Soviet mosaic of Lviv
On 75 Pekarska street, there is a mosaic with the image of the Goddess of Hygiene - Hygieia ("Medicine") by the famous monumental artist Valerii Marchak.
Another mosaic panel with the title "Seasons" appeared back in 1996 on the facade of the Lviv National Academy of Veterinary Medicine (50 Pekarska St.).
Although the author, Serhii Babkov, developed a project not only for the facade but also for the adjacent territory of the building, it was impossible to implement the entire composition due to a lack of funds. In the end, only "Summer" and "Autumn" were depicted.
The mosaic "Impulse and Control" by the artist Roman Patyk was in the cultural underground for about 12 years. In 2009, the premises on the street Sakharova 45 bought "Furshet" and covered the mosaic with metal lining during the reconstruction.
The mosaic was restored only in May 2021. Created in 1991 on the facade of the Lvivprilad canteen, the work depicted its products. In general, the mosaic impresses with its scale and high technological level.
What is an ocean without fish? The new shopping centre "Ocean" on Volodymyra Velykoho street 26 is easily recognizable by its characteristic oceanic attributes - the mosaic "Sea and Fishes".
On 75 Pekarska street, there is a mosaic with the image of the Goddess of Hygiene - Hygieia ("Medicine") by the famous monumental artist Valerii Marchak.
Another mosaic panel with the title "Seasons" appeared back in 1996 on the facade of the Lviv National Academy of Veterinary Medicine (50 Pekarska St.).
Although the author, Serhii Babkov, developed a project not only for the facade but also for the adjacent territory of the building, it was impossible to implement the entire composition due to a lack of funds. In the end, only "Summer" and "Autumn" were depicted.
The mosaic "Impulse and Control" by the artist Roman Patyk was in the cultural underground for about 12 years. In 2009, the premises on the street Sakharova 45 bought "Furshet" and covered the mosaic with metal lining during the reconstruction.
The mosaic was restored only in May 2021. Created in 1991 on the facade of the Lvivprilad canteen, the work depicted its products. In general, the mosaic impresses with its scale and high technological level.
What is an ocean without fish? The new shopping centre "Ocean" on Volodymyra Velykoho street 26 is easily recognizable by its characteristic oceanic attributes - the mosaic "Sea and Fishes".
