2002 Issue

Tower memorializes Sept. 11
Havinghurst Center sponsors sculpture project

By VALERIE LEFF
Compass: Directions of the College of Arts & Science

In 1918, a Russian architect was commissioned to build what would have been a massive high-rise monument in St. Petersburg, in anticipation of the new revolutionary society that was forming out of Marxist socialism.

It was to be the most massive high-rise in the world, and had it been constructed, it would have held that rank even today.

But the tower never got built in St. Petersburg or anywhere else.

Until now.

At the opening of the Havighurst Center for Russian and Post-Soviet Studied last year, Miami University students were involved in an architectural representation of Russian revolutionary designs from the 1920s.

This year, students under the leadership of Sergio Sanabria, chose to construct a model of the Tatlin Tower.

"As a visionary form and an idea it pointed in strange and wonderful directions," Sanabria said, "but there was no logical way it could ever be built."

Tatlin’s monument would have been 1,300 feet tall and 800 feet in diameter. The cone-like structure would have had four smaller structures inside that rotated: a cube, pyramid, cylinder and half-dome.

Students began constructing their design spring semester of 2002. The replica now sits on the slant walk, between Alumni and Harrison Halls.

After its first full year at Miami, the Havighurst Center has already established itself as one of the country’s top resources on the topic of Russian and Post-Soviet Studies.

"Students already have a different perspective of Russia than they did 18 months ago," said Karen Dawisha of Miami’s political science department and the Havighurst Center’s director.

This year’s focus was on a series of lectures and presentations in the fine arts.

"Russian culture is more unusual, more exciting," Dawisha said. "It’s contributions have been world-class."

Highlights this year included a Lecture Symposium, "Reconfiguring the Humanities in the Post-Soviet Union;" the Colloquium Series on Russian Orthodoxy; Women in the Transition; Politics and Economics; the Moscow Philharmonic and the Bard Music Festival.

"I was very impressed that they are initiating this interest, to let people be exposed to any of this," said sophomore Lana Alman. Alman moved to Ohio 11 years ago from her home country of Moldova.

The Architecture Department collaborated with the Havighurst Center for the project this year. Architecture students chose to buuild the Tatlin Tower replica for the challenge of it, but adapted the plans in reaction to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"September 11 acted as a motivator to look more closely at problems of high rise buildings, such as fire safety and exits," he said.

Their plan is to use this revolutionary design as a hypothetical model for a new United Nations building in New York City. The proposed building would also be a sculptural work of art mirroring Tatlin’s amazing design.

The model at Miami is an abstract representation of the design for New York City. The team of students has reinterpreted the building so it can stand independently as a piece of sculpture.

"It’s the most visionary proposal of the 20th century, we took it on as a challenge," Sanabria said.

The Havighurst Center was proud to fund and display this architectural wonder.

"It’s a wonderful response to the symbolic attack," Dawisha said. "It looks like an Atlantis rising."

The Center is already in the midst of planning for next year. Already in effect are eight new courses within the university. In its first year, enrollment has more than doubled for classes associated with Post-Soviet and Russian studies.

"Offering these eight new classes are a big increase for one area," Dawisha said.

The Center will also be offering study abroad programs in Russia, fulfilling thematic sequence and minor requirements.

"These trips open students’ eyes," Dawisha said. "They know a trip to Russia isn’t like Christopher Columbus feeling he was going to fall off the world."

Like the rest of Miami, the Havighurst Center is helping to educate students and teach diversity.

"I am pleased that people are not only getting a chance to meet native speakers that are associated with the culture, but also to see the greatness of the country and its people," Alman said. "It’s an extremely valuable experience for anyone from any background."

The year ahead will include a visit from the Moscow Circus, the world premiere of the Kronos Quartet, as well as more lecture series and musical performances.

"Culture, art, architecture, music, dance…It’s all wonderful!" Dawisha said.