я не понедельник: Definitely Not A Boring Garden

A gorgeous August day in Gorky Park.

Nestled in the trees in the sector of Gorky Park known as Нескучный сад (literally: not boring garden), is located the recently restored grounds of the summer home of Граф Григо́рий Григо́рьевич Орло́в (Count Orlov); once the favourite of Catherine the Great.

The facade of the building recalls a time when “curb appeal” really meant something. Standing in the clearing in front of the Count’s home, one can easily imagine what the grounds must have looked like during their heyday. The gardens out front conjure up images of ladies in their finery milling about trying to catch the eye of some young, handsome bachelor in the hopes that he might choose her to stroll through the gardens and steal a secret kiss or two in the cover provided by the trees in the surrounding forest.

Oh GEEZ. How sappy was that? Sometimes my imagination runs away on me - far, far away. I’ll reel it back in.

The house’s facade is stunning as is the small, well-manicured garden out front. There is plenty of well-shaded seating along the sides of the arcade where one can sit quietly and breathe in the clean air and enjoy the peace and tranquility that only comes when one is surrounded by a forest. Such is the setting for the temporary Фотоателье Аттракцион.

For the months of July, August and September this year, Count Orlov’s pied-à-terre is home to a photo studio “where everyone can take pictures in unusual costumes and scenery in the style of the early XXth Century”. For a mere 1700 руб, up to 7 people can pose together on one of the multiple vintage sets while wearing period costumes. Not only are there sets which cater to historical tastes but there are two scenes in the style of the absurd - an underwater world and the secret lives of insects where fantastical hand-sewn costumes are provided to enhance the experience.