“Modern” – this is exactly how the French word “moderne” can be translated. At the end of the 19th century, this style captivates cities – Paris, Munich, Vienna, Brussels, Moscow. In Samara, modern becomes one of the most beloved architectural styles among homeowners. Exquisite mansions, commercial buildings, banks, and hotels fill the visual space of the provincial city with the elegance of their lines. It is no surprise that it was in Samara, a hundred years later, that the only Museum of Modernism in Russia was established. It is located in the former city estate of merchant Alexander Kurlin and his wife Alexandra.
The estate is rightfully considered the best building in the “modern” style in Samara, embodying all the talent and experience of the architect Alexander Zelenko. Built in 1903, the Kurlin mansion became a unique embodiment of Russian modernism, on par with the Ryabushinsky mansion in Moscow. The Museum of Modernism opened in December 2012. The main exhibition is located on the first floor of the mansion, where interiors in the modern style have been recreated.
In three rooms on the first floor (boudoir, study, dining room) there are unique items, including those created by masters of the famous “Nancy School” – an artistic creative association that existed in France at the beginning of the 20th century. Temporary traveling exhibitions and exhibitions from the Alabin Museum’s collections are held on the second floor and in the mansion’s basement. Contemporary art is also exhibited, so if you visit – you won’t regret it.
Once or twice a year, the museum showcases works by contemporary Samara artists.
In addition to its main tour activities, the museum regularly hosts a large number of events for various target audiences. The museum organizes lectures, concerts, walking and cycling tours around Samara, exhibitions of current artists, and festivals.
