Hotel Rossiya project, Moscow 2005.

A modernist complex of buildings, which was built in the middle of the sixties in Brezniev's time. It was the biggest in Europe with 2700 rooms, and was in use by party members coming outside of Moscow and also for important foreign guests. It's location next to the Kremlin on The Moscow River, visualized from one hand the ever-lasting apparatus ruling the Russian empire - The Kremlin and from the hand the bright new future that the rule of the Communist party was representing. In year 2005 I traveled to Moscow to photograph some of the interiors at 'Hotel Rossiya', and in January 2006 it was closed and demolished. While photographing I realized that this institute was actually representing the now days situation in Russia. Part of the buildings was not renovated and was for use of local tourists. Another part was rented out as offices for foreign companies. Another part was renovated and for foreign tourists. The cellar had tunnels going in the direction of the Kremlin. Hotel Rossiya represented for me possibility of investigating the connection between my backgrounds, growing up in communist republic and the way that power and authority were presented. It functioned as a forgotten time capsule, which I could briefly access.

This project was made possible with the support of THE NETHERLANDS FOUNDATION FOR VISUAL ARTS,DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE