Communist posters

Communist posters

Book - 2017

One of the common features of communist regimes is the use of art for revolutionary means. Posters in particular have served as beacons of propaganda--vehicles of coercion, instruction, censure and debate--in every communist nation. They have promoted the authority of state and revolution, but have also been used as an effective means of protest. By their nature, posters are ephemeral, tied to time and place, but many have had far-reaching, long-lasting impact. They are imbued with both artistic integrity and personal conviction--Bolshevik posters, for example, are among the most vibrant, passionate graphics in art history. This is the first truly global survey of the history and variety of communist poster art. Each chapter is written by a...n expert in the field, and examines a different region of the world: Russia, China, Mongolia, Eastern Europe, North Korea, Vietnam and Cuba. This beautifully illustrated, comprehensive survey examines the broad range of political and visual cultures of communist posters, and will appeal to a wide audience interested in art, history and politics.

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Subjects
Political posters.
Propaganda, Communist.
Communism > Posters.
political posters.
ART.
Art and Design.
Communism.
Posters.
Genres
political posters
Posters
Political posters
Published
London, UK : Reaktion Books 2017.
Language
English
Physical Description
407 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 30 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 368-394) and index.
ISBN
9781780237244
9781789142068
  • Introduction
  • Russia/Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 1917-91
  • Mongolian People's Republic, 1924-92
  • Eastern Europe, 1945-91
  • People's Republic of China, 1949-
  • Democratic People's Republic of Korea, 1948-
  • Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 1945-
  • Republic of Cuba, 1959-
Review by Choice Review

This volume presents and analyzes communist posters from around the world. As Ginsberg notes in the introduction, "By their nature, posters are ephemeral markers of time, place, invocation or triumph. Many, however, have far-reaching, long-lasting impact." The countries/regions and periods covered include Russia/USSR (1917-91), Mongolia (1924-92), Eastern Europe (1945-91), China (1945-), North Korea (1948-), Vietnam (1945-), and Cuba (1959-). The accompanying text lays out a history of the characteristics and use of posters in the area. The images are of high quality throughout. The specific posters were chosen to highlight important artistic and political features of this type of communication within the social and political milieu. Particularly compelling is the discussion of posters and dissent in Eastern Europe. Some readers may want more discussion of this topic across the other chapters. Overall, this volume is an important addition to the work on communication and legitimation in communist countries. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers. --Laura J. Roselle, Elon University

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

"Posters have served as vehicles of persuasion, instruction, damnation and social discourse in every communist nation," writes editor Ginsberg (The Art of Influence: Asian Propaganda) in the introduction to this radiant art book about the intersection of art and revolution. Organized by region, the book examines the political and visual cultures of communist or formerly communist countries around the world, showcasing their similarities and differences through comparative analysis of their poster art. In Vietnam, for example, artists carried their tools to the front battle lines so they could record events and encourage people to join the fight. In Mongolia, simple iconic images conveyed messages about hygiene and harvests, providing a startling contrast to the sophisticated posters produced by Eastern Bloc countries during the Soviet era. In different ways, the essays all raise the same questions: What is the relationship of art to politics and art to propaganda? How does art remain a vital cultural force? Colorful, provocative imagery fills almost every page, with many posters given full-page spreads. This is both a visual feast and an illuminating global study. Color illus. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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