The Midsummer Night’s Dream retro-futuristic ball took place on July 18 at the VDNKh exhibition center. For one night, the nearby area turned into an alternative future city.
The 2015 Midsummer Night’s Dream embraced the conception of retro-futurism with the Futuropolis (City of the Future), an alternative future city. It connected the green spaces of the nearby park and historic pavilions into one hydro-centric complex.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
The Midsummer Night’s Dream is an annual open air festival and costume ball which mixes visual, musical and performing arts.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
This year, the organizers of the festival breathed a new, extraterrestrial life into the Soviet-era architectural project at VDNKh.
Above: Russian actor Konstantin Kryukov at the Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball in Moscow.
Above: Russian actor Konstantin Kryukov at the Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball in Moscow.
The Midsummer Night’s Dream event began in 2007. It was inspired by one of the most famous plays by William Shakespeare. Now, the event has grown into a unique annual festival and one of the most significant happenings across Europe.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
Retro-futurism is a trend in creative arts which shows the influence of depictions of the future produced at earlier periods. As a result, the 2015 Midsummer Night’s Dream was held under the slogan "The Tomorrow That Never Was."
Above: Russian singer Dima Bilan at the Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball in Moscow.
Above: Russian singer Dima Bilan at the Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball in Moscow.
The idea of the event was an attempt to mix two themes: "the future as it was depicted in the past" and "the past as it is seen in the future."
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
The organizers and participants drew inspiration from 1970 sci-fi books and sci-fi movie masterpieces and implemented a strict dress code.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
During the event, participants wore costumes from legendary Soviet sci-fi movies as well as from Hollywood classics, including the Star Wars and the Matrix movies.
Above: Artist Margo Krushina at the Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball in Moscow.
Above: Artist Margo Krushina at the Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball in Moscow.
Artists recreated the Golden Spike fountain, one of the VDNKh architectural monuments. For the festival, they turned the fountain into a time portal connecting our days with the past.
Above: Actress Anastasya Zadorozhnaya at the Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball in Moscow.
Above: Actress Anastasya Zadorozhnaya at the Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball in Moscow.
The festival also featured picturesque 3D-installations, artists’ performances and a music show.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
Above: The Midsummer Night’s Dream costume ball at the VDNKh exhibition center, Moscow.
