Foundry mold as the key conceptual subject of the exhibition

One of the main narrative lines of exhibition was the development of the iron industry in the Urals in the 18th century. The protracted Northern War required investments from the state. Peter I was looking for ways to develop the industry of mining, ore processing and manufacturing of tools for military needs as quickly and qualitatively as possible. Nikita Demidov at this time was building his empire from factory towns in the Urals. Two individuals who combined their efforts and laid the foundation for the development of the mining and factory civilization.

For the exposition, we were looking for an object that would reflect the spirit of that era. The casting mold was the best fit for this role. It was widely used for the manufacture of cast iron products. Liquid metal was poured into the mold, which cooled down and cast iron In the reality of that time it was primarily cannons and cannonballs that were made in this way.
We used the foundry mold not only as an object of direct purpose, but also as an image through which we could complement the narrative metaphorically.

Let’s show and tell you what we have done.

Pewter soldiers of Peter the Great’s ponies regiment

1685. As a child, Peter gathered his small army of children and teenagers in the village of Preobrazhenskoye, where he was in exile with his mother. Gradually the amusement grew into something more, Peter creates a “poeshny regiment” with real trained soldiers. Nearby is built a fortress Presburg, which the soldiers “besiege” and “defend”. The regiments carry out “campaigns”. The amusements increasingly resemble real maneuvers, but the tsar is only 13 years old.

A fractured power

The orb symbolizes the split in power. The events of 1689 that bring Peter to de facto rule. Peter is about to marry, Sophia feels threatened by his power. Both sides begin to weave intrigues and gather like-minded people. There is a split in the state. The result is Peter’s wedding and sole rule, and his sister Sophia is sent to a monastery – there is no one else to weave intrigues.
With the deposition of Sophia wins not only Peter, but also another view on the further development of Russia.

Orders

1697. On his return from the Great Embassy, Peter establishes and draws sketches of the first Russian order – the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. This is the main award of Russia even today.

Foundry mold of the cannon

This literally shows the mold from which the finished cast iron cannon was made. After the defeat of the Russian army at Narva. Peter draws conclusions. He realizes that iron is needed, and a lot of it. At that time it was the Ural factories that began to produce cannons and cannonballs in large quantities for delivery to the war front.

Triumphal Arch

Triumphal gates based on the ancient Roman model appeared in Russia under Peter the Great. After the Battle of Poltava in 1709, the tsar ordered to erect seven such arches in Moscow, although temporary, wooden, but from the best architects of the country.

Peter the Great’s reform of the Russian typographic font

The change in writing is directly related to Peter’s educational reform. Calligraphic script is a spiritual symbol, but hard to read. The country, where reading and writing need more reform. Citizenica, a font based on Latin typesetting, is introduced. Church books continue to be published “in the old way”, which contributes to the separation of spiritual and secular life of Russians.

Astrolabe

During the Persian campaign, Peter’s favorite fleet receives one of its most important instruments, the astrolabe.

The coat of arms of the Demidovs and Peter’s monogram

Together with the nobility, Nikita’s heirs would receive a coat of arms, which would later appear even on the Florence Cathedral.
Peter’s monogram can be seen today on the facades of buildings in St. Petersburg and its surroundings, including those built even after his death.

Foundry mold
Curiously enough, the casting molds themselves, by means of which molten iron is transformed into ingots or billets, were also made of cast iron.
At the exposition, guests saw two halves of the mold filled with hot molten iron.

Such a move in the design of the exhibition helped us to make the exposition “three-dimensional” and literally attractive: the forms beckoned to visitors, they wanted to touch the “metal” surface, feel the coolness and roughness of the material. This was our author’s calculation. Both children and adults liked it. What’s more, even we ourselves, walking around the exhibition, every time we went and made sure to pass our hand over the orb or each letter.

Want to do a cool project? Invite us, we’d love to come up with something memorable!