17
March 2025

Lecture: The Sumptuous Art and Decor of the Moscow Metro

Welcome to The Arts Society Kennet & Swindon
Monday, March 17, 2025 - 11:00
Ellendune Centre, Barrett Way
Wroughton Swindon SN4 9LW
Online Event

Join us on this journey on the Moscow Metro

This lecture takes the audience on a tour of the exotic art, decor and architecture of the world-famous Moscow Metro. It demonstrates how the initial Metro stations of the 1930’s and 1940’s were designed in a grand, palatial style, meeting Stalin’s objective for the Metro to be a showcase for Soviet culture and technology. In the latter years of World War II and its aftermath, new stations became dominated by the art and statuary of patriotism and heroism. The content of all Metro art in this era followed the “Socialist Realism” style mandated for all Russian fine art.

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Mr Mike Grundy

Mike is a highly experienced speaker, having given lectures, presentations and training courses throughout his business career and latterly working as an academic lecturer. This latter role entailed the development and provision of study days and 7 to 10-week courses for the WEA as well as providing 1 to 2-hour lectures to the U3A and other community organisations throughout the south-east of England.

Mike’s educational record includes a First-Class Honours Degree in Mathematics from University College London in 1968 and an MBA from Henley Management College in 1998. 

Throughout a career in the IT industry he was engaged in major projects and systems consultancy, working in the UK, the Continent and the USA. From 1998 to 2006 he acted as the prime public speaker for his company at major business events and conferences. Appointed in 1998 to serve in the IT Industry trade body “Intellect”, he led and promoted its campaign into Government for improving the delivery record of major public sector IT programmes.

In 2006 Mike left his IT career to pursue a life-long interest in art and architecture. He gained a diploma in the History of Art and Architecture from Birkbeck College London and was appointed as a tutor for these subjects by the WEA. In this role he maintained an intensive programme of research, course development and teaching. His subject knowledge ranges across European art and architecture, with specialist expertise in the art of European Metro systems and the art of war.