The state and cultural change 1917-53

Question 1

What is the Proletkult?

Answer 1

Established by Anatoly Lunacharsky, proletarian culture movement to help nurture artistic talent among working people
By 1920 Proletkult set up 300 studios across Russia and published Gorn a monthly magazine showcasing work of proletarian artists

Question 2

Lenins views and action of Proletkult

Answer 2

Lenin critical of Proletkult

Lenin argued best culture was universal neither proletarian neither bourgeois

Proletkult was independent of party control worried Lenin, the work being produced was too avant-garde for working people to understand

October 1920 Proletkult lost independence, funds to radical projects cut and money diverted to traditional arts

Question 3

What are Avant garde artists?

Answer 3

Artists that experimented with a variety of influences such as geometric shapes and technology
Collaborated with communist to produce propaganda:
- Vladimir Mayakovsky simple graphic posters during civil war
- Alexander Rodchenko photographer who use photomontage to make posters during revolution

Question 4

What is Socialist Realism?

Answer 4

Art should use traditional techniques to serve the government
Art was realistic, paintings of factories or workers producing raw materials

Question 5

What did Socialist Realism mean to artists?

Answer 5

They had to focus on subject related to building socialism
Fyodor Gladkovs 1924 Novel Cement - story of group of workers who played a major role in civil war, reconstruct a cement factory

Question 6

What were the changes of Soviet art 1917-53?

Answer 6

Soviet art transformed from free experimental, independent art to art that was dominated by government control