Visual analysis of the PO-2 concrete fence

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Artists draw inspiration from his work. Alexander Brodsky creates a two-story pavilion using its elements as building blocks. Evgeny Ozzik presents a new series of porcelain panels depicting graffiti related to public services. At the same time, PO-2 exists in the form of concrete souvenirs and metal badges.

The official name of the panels—"PO-2 Fence Slabs"—was coined by Soviet designer Boris Lakhman in the 1970s. In an interview, he shared that "the panel was designed with a relief pattern that created a play of light and shadow, which made these fences, built in long rows, more varied and less monotonous." Lakhman received several awards for his achievements in this field, and the popularity of the PO-2 significantly increased in the 1980s. At this time, the designer moved to the United States, but his creation continued to exist.

The Instagram account typepo2 is managed by Vasily, a young specialist in the field of urban studies, who is actively involved in data analysis and research of improvement and transport planning. On his page, dedicated entirely to fences, he collects photographs from all over Russia. He takes most of the pictures himself, but some are sent to him by subscribers. However, not every photo makes it onto the page: they have strict criteria. They must be square and taken from the front.

This collection features examples from both megacities like Moscow, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok, as well as from smaller towns located at considerable distances from one another. When over a hundred photographs are collected in one location, it becomes clear how the same familiar and unremarkable structure can take on various forms: it can be painted, reconstructed, and harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape. For example, a fence covered in barbed wire and a fence with a door carved into the concrete.

PO-2 is a unique urban planning symbol that stands out for its rough and brutal aesthetics. It clearly does not correspond to modern ideas about a comfortable urban environment, but it can be seen even on the verandas of kindergartens. For me personally, this object is an architectural symbol of the late Soviet era and an important part of the history of architectural development in our country. The urban environment significantly influences a person's psychological state, behavior, and upbringing. It is interesting that PO-2, which is familiar to many from childhood, has become such a recognizable element of the urban infrastructure.

Vasily is the author of the typepo2 project.

This public page is a portal to the real world, contrasting with the fictional reality we see in our Instagram feed*. Its main idea is to show the permanence and diversity of its forms. Scroll, observe, and don't forget to subscribe!

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