Yakov Chernikhov

Yakov Georgievich Chernikhov was a Soviet architect and graphic artist, author of scientific works on the theory of architecture and a talented teacher. His name is not well known in Ukraine, although he was born in the current Dnepropetrovsk region and lived in Odesa for about ten years, studied at the Higher Art School. Possessing powerful spatial thinking and imagination, Chernikhov devoted his life to creating bold architectural projects in the spirit of Constructivism and became the spokesman for the ideas of the avant-garde of the early 20th century, which influenced many modern architects.

Yakov Chernikhov was the largest representative of the genre of architectural fantasy, which implies original images not limited by the possibilities of the traditions of architecture and professionally created by means of fine arts. The most important thing in architectural creativity, according to the artist, is fantasy. In one of his theoretical works, Chernikhov said, “The ability to fantasize and translate imagery into a visible sketch is the first foundation of the new architecture.” The realization of his idea could be possible only with the help of careful graphic preparation; therefore, the artist created all his works in strict accordance with the laws of construction and demanded the same from his students.

The views of the architect were far ahead of his time. The buildings designed by Yakov Chernikhov are difficult to imagine even on the streets of a modern city, not to mention the Soviet Union at the beginning of the 20th century. For this reason, contemporaries perceived the creativity and personality of the artist ambiguously. Progressive minds called him a genius, while ordinary people thought his work incomprehensible; as a result, it had been forgotten for a long time. However, one way or another, Yakov Chernikhov remains a brilliant visionary, whose projects inspire new achievements and whose books open up a world of completely different architecture, where there are no restrictions of the creative imagination.

Key ideas:
– Chernikhov’s projects are ideal urban structures that are distinguished by expression, extraordinary beauty and harmony of lines, dynamics in a combination of planes and volumes. These structures do not contain absolutely anything recognizable or familiar. All the forms are the result of the artist’s uncontrollable imagination; they are unprecedented, often utopian but at the same time carefully built, logical and justified.

– Most of the ideas of Yakov Chernikhov were never implemented and were not even intended for this. However, those of them that were nevertheless realized gave the architect an excellent opportunity to confirm his theories and calculations in practice. These were mainly complexes of metal processing plants, industrial enterprises, residential quarters and educational institutions. About 60 objects of various purposes were built under the personal guidance of Yakov Grigorievich,

– Teaching was a true calling of Yakov Chernikhov. He made all his drawings illustrations of his exclusive method, which he called “descriptive art”. He taught his students not just technique or style but a unique vision, a sense of material and space, which served as the basis for architectural creativity. For many years, until his death, Yakov Chernikhov taught graphic disciplines in various educational institutions; those were descriptive geometry, drawing and sketching.

– Yakov Chernikhov was an architect and artist who perfectly felt his era, the needs of society and each person individually. Contemporaries noticed that he had a special gift to predict the future and create beautiful things with the help of a fundamentally scientific approach. The basis of the artist’s creative manner was the rhythm and asymmetry of harmonious composition. These qualities, together with the accuracy and precision of execution, make Chernikhov’s work so attractive and relevant at any time.

– Much ahead of his time, Yakov Chernikhov was very close to creating a universal graphic language that could replace verbal communication and writing. His work is reminiscent of modern graphic design; his ideas can be transformed into 3D models. The artist’s books “Fundamentals of modern architecture”, “Architectural fantasies. 101 composition” and others remain interesting manuals that develop spatial thinking and imagination capable of awakening the desire to experiment with new forms and methods in architecture.