Context
Geographically, the same location — Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street — has changed its name many times: Malaya Repnaya, Kazanskaya, Bolshaya Kazanskaya, and finally Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii. It has repeatedly transformed its appearance in response to historical events and changing architectural trends. Despite the presence of many worn-out buildings along the street, typical Ufa wooden houses with carved window frames and attics can still be found here — and most importantly, the spirit of the old city is still present.
This street remains a unique place, home to more than 40 cultural heritage sites. In his series of works «He is One of a Kind. She is One of a Kind», Mansur Ziyaev seeks to capture fragments of Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street, drawing attention to its details — not only to its visible side, which will largely remain unchanged, but also to what is hidden or not immediately noticeable and may soon disappear altogether.
The unusual format of an open-air street gallery near the Arteria Center made it possible to create a complete visual narrative about this unique street, consisting of 13 independent works.
The unusual format of an open-air street gallery near the Arteria Center made it possible to create a complete visual narrative about this unique street, consisting of 13 independent works.
Geographically, the same location — Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street — has changed its name many times: Malaya Repnaya, Kazanskaya, Bolshaya Kazanskaya, and finally Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii. It has repeatedly transformed its appearance in response to historical events and changing architectural trends. Despite the presence of many worn-out buildings along the street, typical Ufa wooden houses with carved window frames and attics can still be found here — and most importantly, the spirit of the old city is still present.
This street remains a unique place, home to more than 40 cultural heritage sites. In his series of works «He is One of a Kind. She is One of a Kind», Mansur Ziyaev seeks to capture fragments of Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street, drawing attention to its details — not only to its visible side, which will largely remain unchanged, but also to what is hidden or not immediately noticeable and may soon disappear altogether. The unusual format of an open-air street gallery near the Arteria Center made it possible to create a complete visual narrative about this unique street, consisting of 13 independent works.
Some of the historic buildings on Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street are now in a state of decay
- Mansur ZiyaevArtistAs a graphic artist and landscape painter focusing on urban and rural scenes, this project is the perfect combination — an opportunity to show my style and tell the story of the city’s unique street through my work, using local colors.
- Mansur ZiyaevArtistAs a graphic artist and landscape painter focusing on urban and rural scenes, this project is the perfect combination — an opportunity to show my style and tell the story of the city’s unique street through my work, using local colors.
Process
Art form: graphic compositions on plywood panels
Style: sketch-style graphics
Materials: plywood, facade and spray paint, acrylic markers
Style: sketch-style graphics
Materials: plywood, facade and spray paint, acrylic markers
To create this series, Mansur specifically went outdoors to sketch and walked the entire length of Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street, documenting its most interesting buildings, textures, and details. Some of them have deep historical significance.
To create this series, Mansur specifically went outdoors to sketch and walked the entire length of Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street, documenting its most interesting buildings, textures, and details. Some of them have deep historical significance.
- Mansur ZiyaevArtistAt first, I had around 40 sketches, and I had to choose the ones I would enjoy working on while keeping the series diverse — not just building facades, but inner courtyards and certain elements to make the story richer. I walked along the entire street from beginning to end, weaving through every courtyard like a snake — it took me the whole day.What I love most in urban landscapes are the rhythms created by lines, the private stories of the houses. I look at a building and immediately imagine how it would look in graphic form.
I like that the finished work looks like a sketch. Usually, people make a sketch and then refine it, making the image clean and perfect. I used to do that too, and often didn’t like the result. What’s scribbled quickly in a notebook — that feels more alive, more natural. I realized that’s what I need to preserve.
- Mansur ZiyaevArtistAt first, I had around 40 sketches, and I had to choose the ones I would enjoy working on while keeping the series diverse — not just building facades, but inner courtyards and certain elements to make the story richer. I walked along the entire street from beginning to end, weaving through every courtyard like a snake — it took me the whole day.What I love most in urban landscapes are the rhythms created by lines, the private stories of the houses. I look at a building and immediately imagine how it would look in graphic form.
I like that the finished work looks like a sketch. Usually, people make a sketch and then refine it, making the image clean and perfect. I used to do that too, and often didn’t like the result. What’s scribbled quickly in a notebook — that feels more alive, more natural. I realized that’s what I need to preserve.
Demidov Mansion
The oldest building on Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street was constructed in 1770 and belonged to a dynasty of mining industrialists. In 1774, the imperial general Suvorov stayed here for five days — Empress Catherine II had sent him to Ufa to suppress Pugachev's Rebellion.
The oldest building on Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street was constructed in 1770 and belonged to a dynasty of mining industrialists. In 1774, the imperial general Suvorov stayed here for five days — Empress Catherine II had sent him to Ufa to suppress Pugachev's Rebellion.
Demidov Mansion
The oldest building on Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street was constructed in 1770 and belonged to a dynasty of mining industrialists. In 1774, the imperial general Suvorov stayed here for five days — Empress Catherine II had sent him to Ufa to suppress Pugachev's Rebellion.
The oldest building on Oktyabrskoy Revolyutsii Street was constructed in 1770 and belonged to a dynasty of mining industrialists. In 1774, the imperial general Suvorov stayed here for five days — Empress Catherine II had sent him to Ufa to suppress Pugachev's Rebellion.
Gutman Factory Office
This building was constructed in 1898. Iosif Idelevich Gutman, a first-guild merchant, started with a small mechanical workshop but later made his fortune by establishing a factory producing metal goods. Some old houses in Ufa still preserve cast-iron staircases, with components manufactured at Gutman’s factory. The building that initially housed the mechanical workshop was transformed into the factory's administrative office, with the old mansion rebuilt in a new fashion: in a brick style already influenced by Art Nouveau. Today, the Gutman Factory Office is a vivid example of façadism in Ufa — the historic façade now fronts a modern business center.
This building was constructed in 1898. Iosif Idelevich Gutman, a first-guild merchant, started with a small mechanical workshop but later made his fortune by establishing a factory producing metal goods. Some old houses in Ufa still preserve cast-iron staircases, with components manufactured at Gutman’s factory. The building that initially housed the mechanical workshop was transformed into the factory's administrative office, with the old mansion rebuilt in a new fashion: in a brick style already influenced by Art Nouveau. Today, the Gutman Factory Office is a vivid example of façadism in Ufa — the historic façade now fronts a modern business center.
Gutman Factory Office
This building was constructed in 1898. Iosif Idelevich Gutman, a first-guild merchant, started with a small mechanical workshop but later made his fortune by establishing a factory producing metal goods. Some old houses in Ufa still preserve cast-iron staircases, with components manufactured at Gutman’s factory. The building that initially housed the mechanical workshop was transformed into the factory's administrative office, with the old mansion rebuilt in a new fashion: in a brick style already influenced by Art Nouveau. Today, the Gutman Factory Office is a vivid example of façadism in Ufa — the historic façade now fronts a modern business center.
This building was constructed in 1898. Iosif Idelevich Gutman, a first-guild merchant, started with a small mechanical workshop but later made his fortune by establishing a factory producing metal goods. Some old houses in Ufa still preserve cast-iron staircases, with components manufactured at Gutman’s factory. The building that initially housed the mechanical workshop was transformed into the factory's administrative office, with the old mansion rebuilt in a new fashion: in a brick style already influenced by Art Nouveau. Today, the Gutman Factory Office is a vivid example of façadism in Ufa — the historic façade now fronts a modern business center.
Former Mansion of Timber Merchant Chizhov
This building was constructed in 1889. Fyodor Chizhov was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century — a third of all brick houses in Ufa belonged to his family. The two-story brick house, with corner towers and decorative balcony railings, is considered the main Chizhov residence, where he lived with his wife. Today, the building houses a branch of the Zaki Validi National Library.
This building was constructed in 1889. Fyodor Chizhov was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century — a third of all brick houses in Ufa belonged to his family. The two-story brick house, with corner towers and decorative balcony railings, is considered the main Chizhov residence, where he lived with his wife. Today, the building houses a branch of the Zaki Validi National Library.
Former Mansion of Timber Merchant Chizhov
This building was constructed in 1889. Fyodor Chizhov was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century — a third of all brick houses in Ufa belonged to his family. The two-story brick house, with corner towers and decorative balcony railings, is considered the main Chizhov residence, where he lived with his wife. Today, the building houses a branch of the Zaki Validi National Library.
This building was constructed in 1889. Fyodor Chizhov was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century — a third of all brick houses in Ufa belonged to his family. The two-story brick house, with corner towers and decorative balcony railings, is considered the main Chizhov residence, where he lived with his wife. Today, the building houses a branch of the Zaki Validi National Library.
Author
- Mansur Ziyaev (Ufa)ArtistA Bashkir artist who specializes in small-format paintings filled with sincerity, warmth, and a strong connection to tradition and place. He lives and works in Ufa.
A Bashkir artist who specializes in small-format paintings filled with sincerity, warmth, and a strong connection to tradition and place. He lives and works in Ufa.
Series "What Makes Us Human", Yekaterinburg, 2023
Series "What Makes Us Human", Yekaterinburg, 2023
"The First Bike Trip", Syktyvkar, 2024
Series "What Makes Us Human", Yekaterinburg, 2023
The series of graphic works was created by
Mansur Ziyaev
Artist
Kristina Onosova
Executive Producer
Aleksei Shakhov
Creative Producer
Grigory Kozlov
Technical Director
Maria Kochneva
Executive producer of the project
Maria Ushakova
Creative producer of the project
Polina Ej
Project Manager
Yulia Bulygina
Communications Manager
Ivan Fiev
Development Director
Lyubov Kabalinova
Photographer
Roman Vlasov
Videographer