STATE MUSEUM OF VLADIMIR MAYAKOVSKY
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Address:
Lubyansky Proezd, 3/6 |
The State Museum of Vladimir Mayakovsky was opened
in 1974 in the building where the poet lived and worked from 1919 to
1930. The basis of its collection was formed from the stocks of the
Library-Museum named after Mayakovsky that had been functioning since
1938.
While Mayakovsky was a prominent representative of
avant-guard art, the Museum dedicated to his live and creativity was
designed not to the classic museum canons. The building was decorated
in postmodern style. Prominent artists, architects and designers of
the 20th century used a new method of the organization of the space
making a visitor a co-author and participant of the museum action.
In the museum one wouldn't find traditional exhibition
halls with glass show-cases and ranged exhibits. The museum space was
to remind the Labyrinth of Life, heart of which is the "Boat Room",
the poet's memorial room. 
The hall devoted to the birth and youth of Mayakovsky
recreates the house where the future poet was born and the grammar school
Vladimir went to. A hanging giant jug of wine attracts visitors' attention.
According to the ancient Georgian traditions (Mayakovsky was born in
Georgia) when a child was born the family filled a jug with wine and
pitted it. When the child came of age relatives and friends were invited
to drink it.
The memorial room of Mayakovsky is situated on the
forth floor of the Museum in the former communal flat. The poet who
hated petty bourgeoisie culture and way of life couldn't stand useless
luxury and had only the most necessary things. The recreated furnishing
of modest 20 sq. m. large room where the poet lived for 11 years eloquently
witnessed it.
Nowadays the collection of the unique Museum numbers
over 50,000 exhibits; notebooks and manuscripts of Mayakovsky, his letters,
private belongings, unique things (like the wedding ring of poet's mother
and his grandfather's sabre), original furniture, books by and about
Mayakovsky and many other worth watching things.
The Museum of Vladimir Mayakovsky regularly holds
poetical and musical evenings, meeting with writers and actors. On the
scene of the Theatre of Poets writers Voznesensky, Evtushenko, Akhmadulina,
Iskrenko, singers Dolina, Bachurin, Kochetkov, actors Gaft, Kazakov,
Yursky and others performed.
The Museum also houses a cinema hall where visitors
can see films with Mayakovsky.
