Sunday, January 25, 2009

Soviet Era Art

In 2003 the Tate Modern museum featured a exhibition of Soviet era propaganda posters. I was lucky to see it and I have been fascinated by the genre ever since.

Red Cavalry 1921 unknown artist
David King Collection

Red Moscow Heart of World Revolution 1921 Vkhutemas
(Higher State Artistic and Technical Workshops)
David King Collection

All Russian Agricultural and Craft-Industrial Exhibition-Pageants and Sport
August-September 1923 Alexander Lebedev
David King Collection

I found these 3 postcards in the museum gift shop. Unfortunately, representations of my favorites were not for sale. Back in my hotel room that night, I made a crude sketch in my travel journal of the one that I especially liked. It was circa WWII and it featured Hitler and Mussolini grimacing together under an umbrella. A three pronged lightening bolt strike ended in the middle of the umbrella over their heads. One prong was the Soviet flag, one the British Union Jack and on the other was the Stars and Stripes.

The exhibition wasn't part of the musuem's permanent collection and the images are no longer available online. It did help me understand why Soviet poster art is considered the beginning of the modern propaganda poster.

To read more and see additional examples of this art form click here.
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11 comments:

  1. Tess KincaidJanuary 25, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    WT used to travel to the former Soviet Union quite a bit, bringing back lots of artsy stuff. He even has a pointy hat like in your first poster pic. I think it is all fascinating and would have loved seeing the Tate exhibit!

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 25, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    Interesting posters. Seeing these make me wish we lived closer to a museum and could see different art for inspiration.

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  3. GailOJanuary 25, 2009 at 8:55 PM

    ...I noticed that the shops never have my favorites on postcards either! Beautiful graphics...and the link to the Tate is great!

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  4. meJanuary 25, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    I liked this post. I enjoy learning something new. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. LaviniaJanuary 25, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    Oh I love this stuff. Soviet era propaganda items are fascinating. When I was house hunting, one of the homes I looked at was owned by a professor of Russian history. It was full of USSR memorabilia, a real feast for the eyes.

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  6. Lora @ my blessed lifeJanuary 25, 2009 at 11:09 PM

    Very cool art! I recently read a series of books about the Soviet revolution. It was fascinating!

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  7. DaveJanuary 26, 2009 at 2:17 AM

    I find history in its many forms interesting. That includes posters like these. Our art museum had a similar display last year. - Dave

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  8. MuseSwingsJanuary 26, 2009 at 10:03 AM

    Very interesting post! I never thought of propaganda posters as art before... but then there is our own era of Rosie the Riveter and Loose Lips Sink Ships art!

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  9. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiJanuary 26, 2009 at 12:56 PM

    Very interesting art work! I would ahve loved to see this exhibit too.

    I saw a piece on the news this weekend about the history of politcal posters in America and the visual impact they have made over time and the very last one is the now famous stylized face of Obama in block colors and the word "HOPE." It's amazing how so little could say so much!

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  10. StriderJanuary 26, 2009 at 6:42 PM

    I stopped by to catch up on your post. Have a great week.

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  11. Quilt knitFebruary 9, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    I love studying posters. Most now that are that old are stored away. Many were hand painted. Many were silk screened. These are great Posters can teach you much about History. So, can Match covers.
    Glad I read this sight.

    Sherrie Roberts

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