One of my all-time favourite exhibitions in a museum wasn’t from one of the European biggies… in fact, just east of the Ural Mountains in Ekaterinburg, I don’t think it even counts as Europe!

But the my memory of the Ural Youth Museum (shame about the tragic name!) sticks with me today as being one of the most creative and thought-provoking displays I’ve ever seen.


No photos were allowed in the museum, so the accompanying images are some general shots of Ekaterinburg.

It began with dates and faded pictures as a background to a stage with a single chair, though all askew, as if through the eyes of a drunk. The next room contained the entire history of mid-twentieth century Russia as a massive installation. The materials were primarily wood and photocopies, although these formed ladders and canvasses, the images torn in half and blackened out, as historically appropriate. Then mirrors semi-spiralled throughout, further disjointing one’s senses, but eventually you come to realise that a change subject is reflected on the panels. You find yourself staring face-to-face with your own image.

Ha, sucked in! – I found myself thinking – I’m not Russian (and if I was, I would probably be touching up my lipstick) and this is not my history. But the effect was universal.

Next you head up a flight of stairs, and then, as if the strange angles weren’t disconcerting enough before, the next room is half-full with the figures of soldiers, marching up a 45° incline. You have to follow a similar path; however the lighting is only on the eerie figures. The darkness continues in the next room, as does the 45° angle floor, although it tapers away into the next exhibit.

The exhibition leaves you a little dizzy from the ordeal in the dark of walk – stop – look – whoa – walk, and totally reeling from the content. Imagine Disneyland’s ‘It’s a small world’ attract meets a bunch of Russian students with an intense c.20th national history, a photocopier, a lot of wood and some hammers. Amazing stuff.