by Liz Stinson,
Wired, Sep 30, 2015
(Image: Chris Herwig traveled throughout the former Soviet Union photographing elaborate bus stops. This one from Abkhazia was designed by Zurab Tsereteli.)
Of all the places you’d expect to find an elaborately designed bus stop shaped like a giant seashell, the streets of Gagra, Abkhazia, probably wouldn’t be one of them. The disputed region, situated between Georgia and Russia along the Black Sea, isn’t known for its architectural marvels. And yet, there it is, a Gaudi-esque sculpture sitting right on the side of the road.
This mosaic of plastic and stone designed by Zurab Tsereteli looks like art, but it’s actually something more than that. It’s a fully functioning bus stop. And stops like these are way more common than you might think. Chris Herwig has seen hundreds of them. For the past 12 years, the Canadian photographer has traveled throughout the former Soviet Union snapping photos of the region’s unexpectedly crazy architecture for his new book “Soviet Bus Stops.” Read more…