IKEA Moscow

IKEA Moscow

A fascinating illustration, the clearly photoshopped image here depicts the iconic “IKEA” logo in the Cyrillic alphabet (as it is used in Russia) supporting the spires and domes of the famous Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. It is important to note that the image comes from the Swedish architectural firm Synk Architekture, who seemingly designed the first megastore that IKEA opened in Moscow in 2000. Thus, one might read this image as a bold statement portraying how the Swedish conceptualize IKEA figuratively supporting Russian traditions and the idea of “Russianness” itself. Indeed the hazy blue background, making the colors of the IKEA logo and the domes of Saint Basil’s more visible in relief, gestures to the standalone nature of the illustration – IKEA and Russia are in it together, making the architectural firm’s work that much more essential and important.

Jenna Louie

Synk Arkitektur. "Ikea Moscow." Image. Accessed May 5, 2014. http://www.synkark.se/2010/01/ikea-moscow/.

May 5, 2014