Monument "Memory of Miners"
It is difficult to imagine the main city of Kuzbass without monuments to miners. Kemerovo is the coal capital of the region. That is why a monument dedicated to representatives of this industry appeared in the city. The author of the monument is Ernst Neizvestny.
The history of the creation of the monument is remarkable. We have long wanted to celebrate the importance of miners’ work. This issue was first discussed in 1969 by the Council of Ministers. The name of the monument had already been thought up, and the sketches were ready. But it was not possible to implement the plan. The situation changed only several decades later. Then the governor of the region, Aman Tuleyev, first met with the Unknown, whose works had already been installed not only on the territory of the Russian Federation, but also in ten other countries of the world.
Initially, the monument was conceived as a mournful reminder of the miners who died in the mines of Kuzbass. But Ernst Neizvestny defined the theme of the work a little differently. He said that the main idea that the composition carries is resistance and heroism. After all, it is selfless labor, equated to military work, that distinguishes miners from specialists in other industries.
The opening of the monument took place in 2003 right on Miner’s Day - August 28. The installation location was chosen by the author. Ernst decided that the best place for his creation was Red Hill. By the way, the sculptor came to Kemerovo from New York to take part in the opening ceremony.
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It is difficult to imagine the capital of the mining region without a monument to miners. The monument “ In Memory of the Kuzbass Miners ” appeared in Kemerovo in 2003. The grand opening took place on Miner's Day
(August 28). The monument is a giant bronze torso of a miner, mounted on a three-meter pedestal of black granite. With his right hand, the miner leans on a jackhammer, and in his left hand he holds a flaming coal - the heart that he took out of his chest. The torso of an Atlanta miner rises above the coal rock, above large and small pieces of coal, embodied in stylized human faces. The total height of the composition is 12 meters, and the weight of the monument is 5 tons.
Inscription on the monument:
“ MEMORY TO THE MINERS OF KUZBASS ” AUTHOR ERNST UNKNOWN
THE MONUMENT WAS ESTABLISHED ON THE INITIATIVE OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE KEMEROVSK REGION A. TULEEV WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF KEMEROVO, THE PROKOPYEVSKUGOL ASSOCIATION, THE RASPADSKAYA MINE,
OPENED AUGUST 28, 2003
The idea to perpetuate the significance and greatness of the most complex miner’s work arose back in the era of the Soviet Union, in the late 60s of the twentieth century, but for several decades, for various reasons, it could not be translated into reality. And only in 2003, a monument dedicated to the mining profession adorned the capital of Kuzbass. The monument was created by the legendary sculptor Ernst Iosifovich Neizvestny . The master began work on the monument at the request of the Governor of the Kemerovo Region, Aman Gumirovich Tuleyev. The sculptor was inspired by the words of the governor: “Ernst, I ask you to remember: in every light bulb that burns there is a drop of miner’s blood.” Having created the monument by order of the administration of the Kemerovo region, the author refused the fee due to him.
The monument “ In Memory of the Miners of Kuzbass ” was made in the unique style of Ernst Neizvestny, combining features of symbolism and cubism with violent expression. All elements of the composition - masks, muscle articulations, general pathos and symbolism, developed by the sculptor over many years, create a unique, instantly recognizable flavor of the master. The miner embodied in bronze is not just a decorative composition, it is a monument-symbol - a reminder of the price paid for “black gold”. In his work, the sculptor glorifies the heroism of the hardest and most dangerous work, equivalent to a feat.
“This monument is not for victims. Selfless, sacrificial work? Yes. But the main pathos here is resistance. The heroism of the hardest and most dangerous work, which is not in vain equated with military work,” this is how Ernst Neizvestny defined the main idea of his work.
For a year and a half, Ernst Neizvestny worked on the monument in his workshop in New York. Then, for more than a month, the sculpture traveled from America to the capital of Kuzbass: first by sea to St. Petersburg, then on a trailer to Kemerovo
.
The monument was erected on the right bank of the Tom
on the territory of the
Krasnaya Gorka
. An observation deck was built next to the monument, offering a panoramic view of the city.
Warriors Glory Memorial
In Kuzbass, not only miners are glorified, but also Soviet soldiers. There is a monument in Kemerovo dedicated to the soldiers who died in battles for their Motherland during the Second World War. It was opened on Victory Day in 1970. Architect Andrei Nikolaevich Kovalchuk and sculptor Alexander Dmitrievich Shcherbakov worked on the project. The height of the monument is 18 meters. It is made from Crimean limestone. And the curbs and steps are made of gray granite.
The place for installing the monumental composition was the beginning of Vesennaya Street. Pritomskaya embankment is a favorite place for Kemerovo residents to walk. That is why the monument was placed here. He represents a warrior in a helmet and overcoat holding a banner, and a young soldier with a machine gun in his hands. In front of the monument there is a star in which the “Eternal Flame” burns.
Memory to the miners of Kuzbass (Kemerovo)
In memory of the miners of Kuzbass, the monument to Ernst the Unknown was erected in Kemerovo on August 28, 2003 on the territory of the Krasnaya Gorka Museum. The opening of the monument was timed to coincide with the celebration of Miner's Day. One of the symbols of Kuzbass.
Reference
Description Edit
The monument is a bronze figure of a miner mounted on a three-meter pedestal made of black granite. With his right hand, the miner leans on the jackhammer, and holds the other near the burning heart. The miner “grows” out of the coal rock, at the base of which there are slabs of coal, stylized as “masks of sorrow.” Special lighting emphasizes the monumentality of the composition and allows for a clear view of the monument from the left bank. The height of the sculpture itself is seven meters, the height of the pedestal is four and a half meters. The weight of the monument is 5 tons.
History of creation Edit
The idea of creating a monument in Kuzbass dedicated to the greatness and significance of miners’ labor appeared almost half a century ago. In 1969, at the proposal of the Kemerovo Regional Executive Committee, a decision was made by the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR on the construction of the Miner's Glory monument in the city of Kemerovo. The government announced a competition, several projects were presented, but none of them were implemented then.
The situation changed after a meeting in 2002 between Governor Aman Tuleyev and Ernst Neizvestny. The famous sculptor, whose works are presented in many countries around the world, agreed to create a monument of memory and sorrow for the miners who died in the mines and even refused the proposed fee. It is believed that the sculptor was inspired by the words of the governor: “Ernst, I ask you to remember that in every light bulb that burns there is a drop of miner’s blood.” As the architect recalled, “I instantly had this idea, there wasn’t a second - right away!”
The master worked on the monument for more than a year. Then the parts of equipment and equipment necessary for architecture, photos and documents were sent to his workshop from Kuzbass in New York. It took more than a month for the sculpture to travel from New York to the city of Kemerovo. First by sea to St. Petersburg, then by trailer to Kemerovo. The author, who arrived from New York, participated in the opening of the monument and was awarded the title “Laureate of the Kuzbass Prize.
Style features Edit
Aesthetically, the monument does not stand out from the general series of works by E. Neizvestny and corresponds to his author’s style. This is a special expressive deformation of the image, large scale, subject-semantic significance of the artistic statement, violent expression, deindividuation of the face, the dominance of the “general” over the “individual”.
The main object of Neizvestny’s work is the human body, which, according to the artist, does not become obsolete, unlike any artificial structure. A well-known technique of the Unknown is that the plastic image has not yet been completely freed from the stone block, as if frozen in the raw mass, resisting it. In the monumental sculptures of the Unknown, as in a photo enlargement, the physical, mental and spiritual world of a person in its different states is revealed in close-up. Unknown defined the main idea of his work as follows: “This monument is not for victims. Selfless, sacrificial work? Yes. But the main pathos here is resistance. Heroics of the hardest and most dangerous work, which is not in vain equated with military work.”
Monument-locomotive L3238
Guests of the city are greeted at the station square by a monument-locomotive. It was installed in 2006 in honor of Railwayman's Day. The locomotive, built back in 1953, arrived at its “eternal” parking place under its own power. Previously, it was located at Topki station.
Where was this black giant made, which became a monument to the city of Kemerovo? Of course, at the Voroshilovgrad plant. The released locomotive ran throughout the Kemerovo region, but just like other locomotives, it gave way to modern locomotives. Elka spent several decades at a reserve base. And finally, she waited for her finest hour!
Monument to Mikhailo Volkov
There is a monument in Kemerovo dedicated to one of the key historical figures of the city - Mikhailo Volkov. It was this man who discovered coal deposits on the territory of the modern city in 1721. This discovery became the main one in the development of the region.
It is worth noting that the monument represents a collective image of Volkov. When the sculptor Georgy Baranov got to work, it turned out that practically no information about the traveler’s appearance had been preserved. As a result, a strong and courageous man came out from under the author’s hands, clutching a unique find to his chest - coal. This monument in Kemerovo was erected in 1968 opposite the Kuzbass Technical University - this educational institution trains specialists in the coal industry.
Ensemble of the square
- The House of Soviets (the main building of the Administration of the Kemerovo Region) was built according to the design of the Kemerovo architect L.K. Moiseenko in the 1950s. The building also houses the Council of People's Deputies of the Kemerovo Region.
- The Main Post Office was built in 1954 according to the design of L.K. Moiseenko, and is an architectural monument of regional significance. There are chimes installed on the corner tower of the Main Post Office.
- City Council building with a corner tower opposite the main post office, architect also Moiseenko
- FSB Directorate building
- Second building of the Administration of the Kemerovo region
- Administration building on the south side of the square
- Office center
"Monument to Mikhailo Volkov"
This monument is historically and geographically closely connected with the city. It was selflessly presented to Kemerovo by sculptor Georgy Baranov. Baranov learned about M. Volkov in 1946, when in Tomsk in the university library he read an article by Professor A. Zvorykin about Kuzbass. in the 50s, G. Baranov made several sculptures of Volkov. One of them - the prototype of the current monument - was demonstrated at the All-Russian exhibition, then moved to the All-Union exhibition. The sculpture to M. Volkov was awarded an incentive cash prize and approved by N.V. Tomsky himself. - Member of the USSR Academy of Arts.
A symbolic place was chosen for the monument - on the square opposite the current KuzGTU, which trains coal industry specialists. The opening of the monument was timed to coincide with Miner's Day - August 23, 1968.
In 1974, according to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the monument to M. Volkov became a monument of republican significance.
The architect of the pedestal is Vladimir Alekseevich Surikov .
"Park of Miracles"
When the word “Kemerovo” did not yet exist, and Shcheglovsk did not even imagine that in 20 years it would become a regional center, the first park had already appeared in the city. Today, almost any walking route in the center of Kemerovo leads to it - as if your feet choose the road themselves.
Beginning in the 1950s, the city garden began to take on the familiar appearance of an amusement park. Physical training equipment, simple attractions like the “Russian swing” and the first entertainment pavilions appeared – a shooting range and a “laughing room”. It’s funny that today there is no such attraction, but “House of Fear” is welcome.
The 50s were also the time when the first fountain appeared in the city garden. It was reconstructed several times: an artificial rock with a small bowl, then a large bowl with boys and a dolphin, then the same thing, but without the boys and the dolphin. And so on until we came to the modern version.
The Wonder Park in Kemerovo is more than eighty years old.
The park has grounds for various sports games, a shooting range, attractions and small cafes.
On weekends, Miracle Park has a special program for children, games and a disco, with a live orchestra playing. And on holidays, stars of the domestic show business perform on stage.
Monument to Russian hockey
One of the most unusual monuments in the city of Kemerovo is a monument dedicated to Russian hockey. It was installed in 2007 - when the first World Championship in this unusual sport was opened. The creation of the art object was initiated by the fans. They turned to the regional administration, where their idea was accepted and helped to implement. The monument is located near the Khimik stadium. It consists of two parts: three clubs and a huge orange hollow ball, the diameter of which is 2.5 meters! By the way, the ball is made of seven thousand real balls.
Penguin family
In 2010, the city took part in the All-Russian competition called “City without Cruelty to Children.” That’s when the Penguin Family monument made of foam concrete appeared in Kemerovo. Each figure weighs about 140 kg, and their size is 90 cm. The author of the composition, a young Kemerovo sculptor Maxim Vrublevsky, admitted that he chose penguins not by chance: it is known that these animals are exemplary family men.
Sources:
https://www.travel4us.ru/publ/info/russia/miners_of_kuzbass_monument/21-1-0-225 https://wiki-kuzbass.ru/articles/kultura/pamiat-shakhteram-kuzbassa-kemerovo/ https:/ /fb.ru/article/318769/gorod-kemerovo-pamyatniki-istorii-i-kulturyi
Monument to a homeless dog
There are also social monuments in the city. For example, a sculpture depicting a homeless dog. In Kemerovo, the monument appeared in 2008; funds for its production were collected by concerned citizens.
The author, Valery Vasilyevich Treska, created a simply heartbreaking composition: a hungry stray dog is pressed against the cover of a sewer manhole. In addition, the monument was supplemented with a plaque with a poem calling on Kemerovo residents to be more humane and reduce the number of stray animals.
Video Monumental Memory
In 2004, the monument “ Memory of the Kuzbass Miners ” was recognized as an architectural and historical object. In 2008, according to voting results, the monument was among the ten main symbols of Kuzbass. In 2012, the monument “ In Memory of the Miners of Kuzbass ” was named the seventh wonder of Kuzbass, being included in the local version of the list “ Seven Wonders of the World”
" - "
Seven Wonders of Kuzbass ." Ernst Neizvestny was awarded the title “Laureate of the Kuzbass Prize” for his work.
