On 8 September, the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture opened an exhibition "Architectural Graphics: From Classic to Contemporary" in the exhibition hall. The display features the best student works produced over the past few years as part of the "Architectural Graphics" course.
The exhibition was organized by the Department of History and Theory of Architecture, with the participation of the department associate professors Igor Khramov, Aleksandr Ponomarev, and Nikita Igolkin, as well as Vladlen Lyavdansky, an associate professor at the Department of Architectural Design.
The exhibition features works by students from various years of study and specializations. The artists were given the freedom to choose their own themes and methods of artistic expression. The works on display include architectural sketches drawn from life, pieces focusing on specific buildings and architectural structures, coursework projects, and graphic compositions that showcase the students' individual creative visions.
As the teachers noted, one of the course's primary objectives was to enable students to discover their own language of architectural graphics. Some focus on line and form, while others prefer tonal rendering or color. At the same time, the ability to use one's imagination and create expressive artistic imagery plays a crucial role.
"Some excel at tonal drawing, while others are masters of color. Feel free to express yourself!" the organizers emphasized when describing the concept behind the exhibition.
At the opening, special emphasis was placed on the importance of hand-drawn graphics in the architectural profession. According to the teachers, it is precisely working by hand that helps aspiring professionals develop their own professional and artistic mindset.
"You cannot do without drawing or the use of hands. In the upper years of study, the hands are what create the image; it is through the hands that our brain forms an image. Activating this chain is crucial for our discipline," the exhibition organizers noted.
Furthermore, according to the instructors, working on graphic compositions enables students not only to master artistic skills but also to shape their own worldview, learn to analyze the architectural environment, and develop an individual creative stance.
"Behind every work lies an entire world—the author’s entire worldview and their philosophical understanding of the theme, which is conveyed to you here," noted one of the organizers.
The opening event also highlighted the department's methodological work. Under the guidance of Igor Khramov, a methodological manual on architectural graphics was produced, offering a comprehensive overview of the field's evolution and various techniques used in the practice. The publication was awarded a diploma by the Academy of Construction Sciences.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to the students whose works were selected for the exhibition, as well as to everyone who helped prepare it. They noted that, due to the sheer volume of material, it was not possible to include every piece created by the students. According to the organizers, the exhibition aims not only to showcase the best works in architectural graphics but also to pass on experience to the next generation of students. They expressed hope that the exhibition would become an annual tradition for the Faculty of Architecture and inspire junior students to strive for new creative achievements. "This is a wonderful opportunity for the new generation to aim higher and strive for even better results," noted Nikita Igolkin.
The exhibition will run until 3 October.
