Theme – Architecture

The dome of the Church of Vladimir Icon is reflected on a shop window, beautifully decorated with flowers, reminiscent of offerings at the altar of the Almighty. The lights show the way to the altar. Situated onVladimirskiy Prospekt in St. Petersburg, Russia, this church, has been, and is frequented, by many intellectuals of the city, the most famous being author Fyodor Dostoevsky. Completed in 1783, the Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in St. Petersburg.

The photograph captures the display of authentic Russian China stacked on different levels of the display shelf while the reflection is of a multi-storied heritage building. Since the series is Stories in Reflections, the caption ‘Storeys’ is a pun that enhances the romantic appeal of the image. The roads and pavements of St. Petersburg are treasure troves for tourists and photographers. This shop is situated on Vladimir Prospekt.

The warm shades of hand-crafted amber ornaments against the cool and contrasting backdrop of the teal façade of a building, is fascinating. The roads of St. Petersburg are lined with shops selling intricately-designed items and jewelry, made of varied shades of yellow, orange and green amber. The aromatic resin has medicinal qualities. Real Baltic Amber floats on salted water and drowns in fresh water. The only Amber factory in the world is in Kalingrad, Russia. The gemstones, ornaments and artefacts made from this fossilized resin from ancient trees, are collectors’ items.

Reflections can be found on ceilings too. Glass panes or chandeliers often reflect beautiful images. In this image, the gilded ceiling is reflected on false window panes, blending the reflection with the sculptured wall. A visit to St. Petersburg is incomplete without a visit to its architectural wonder – The Winter Palace of the Tsars, built in the Elizabethan-Baroque style. This opulent palace of the Romanovs, is now a part of UNESCO World Heritage – The Hermitage Museum.

The magnificent red, cream and gold of this small room, reflecting on the wall-to-wall mirror adds depth to the ‘little’ room. The resplendence of this room is in sharp contrast with the soberly decorated blue and turquoise green rooms next to it. Each of the 1,057 rooms of the Winter Palace was uniquely decorated by architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1754, with lacquered gold inlayed with gemstones, crystal chandeliers, exquisite marble floors and magnificent mirrors.

Reflections can, effortlessly, bring together diametrically opposite worlds. The image highlights how history graciously, makes way for the contemporary, yet retaining its position nonetheless. The contemporary is also becoming history with every passing second. The glass on an advertisement board or at a bus stop shows the more prominent skyscrapers that characterize modern Hong Kong on a backdrop of a colonial building.