The "conflict" is philosophical in the sense that some of the art is state sanctioned realism and other works are non-conformist. The show was curated by Dr. Maria (Masha) Zavialova for the TMORA. "Arranged as a dialogue of state-sanctioned and oppositional models of artistic production, Art in Conflict invites a creative interpretation of what it was to be an artist living in the Soviet era."
Having been a serious art student in the early 70s, it was especially interesting to see the contrast between what was taking place behind the Iron Curtain and in our own turbulent, but unrestricted, times. The art here was created from the time of the death of Stalin in 1953 through the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Detail from the "approved" style of painting. |
During the Khrushchev and Brezhnev era (1960s to 1980s), "the unofficial, or nonconformist, art movement was unmatched in its inexhaustible scope of creativity, courage, and variety. Nonconformists claimed the right to explore topics outlawed by the Soviet ideological apparatus." According to the information accompanying the show, "Their chief concern was not purely artistic. Rather, unofficial art responded to, protested against, and commented on the rigid doctrines of official Soviet art."
By way of contrast, "Mafiya" by Alexander Zakharov, 1990 |
Honoring 25th anniversary of Yari Gagarin's 1961 flight. 1986 Poster by Vladimir Fekliaev |
In the Soviet Union official art conformed to realist principles and conveyed its messages that aligned with the proletariat vision. The unofficial underground art explored non-realist modern approaches.
According to the accompanying literature:
Official art was atheist, whereas unofficial art tackled the themes of religion, spirituality, and metaphysics with relish. Most official art was gravely serious, which unofficial art was often not, playfully subverting and mocking ideological clichés.
![]() |
"The Mail Carrier" by Isaak Shifman. Painting in the "approved" style. |
The Soviet art scene had its grey zone: the art that chose not to take sides, but rather pursue purely artistic concerns and timeless subjects. But, in the highly politicized atmosphere of a totalitarian state, wasn’t the choice to be apolitical also a political decision?
Here are several more pieces showing that some interesting work was taking place outside the official propaganda norm.
"Pilgrims" by Aleksandr Gazhur |
* * * *
"Pilgrims" (Detail) |
* * * *
"Mikhal Sergeich and Boris Nikolaich" by Dmitri Kantorow, 1991 |
* * * *
"Composition with Cards IIII" by Vladimir Memukhin (1982) |
* * * *
Yuri Gagarin one more time. |
What kind of art were you making from 1970 to 1990?
And whose rules were you following as you created your work?
No comments:
Post a Comment