Cold War Street

Between 1974 and 1989 I visited both USSR and USA twice. I used the opportunity to make photographs of day-to-day life in the streets of the two superpowers.

In 1980, during Brejnev stable period, I travelled from Moscow to Kazakhstan and Siberia. Eight years later USSR was under the Perestroika effect and the signs of transformation were clear. Then I travelled from Moscow to Leningrad and Kiev.

My first trip to the USA took place in 1974. I spent August there, driving from New York to Florida, just at the time of Nixon's resignation. I went again in 1989, the year marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall. Then I stayed in California and Nevada for a while.

USSR was dismantled in 1991, twenty years ago, and Cold War started to fade away.

I decided to publish my images of USSR and USA, side by side, even if they are not an exhaustive or systematic comparative collection.

I just want to provide a pleasant viewing experience. For older people, will bring about memories and, for the younger, will raise questions.

I hope.

Fernando Penim Redondo, Lisbon, Portugal.

fjprgm@gmail.com