Art and propaganda

[Helen Edwards]

I have recently returned to University (I took first year courses 30 years
ago) and am studying art history.
The topic I have chosen for my term paper is "The Artist as Propagandist".
I was wondering if there has been an exhibition at any time on the subject
or if someone in museum-l land knows where I could get some crackerjack
information to help me.
I have visited some art galleries and museums on-line and have done
extensive reading. I have never studied this subject before and am finding
it fascinating. I would appreciate any help which you could give me.

Thanks
Helen

Helen Edwards - Victoria, B.C. Canada
Hallmark Society Past-President
Minority Shareholder, Northwest Sports (Vancouver Canucks Hockey Club)
e-mail addresses: he...@islandnet.com / uj...@freenet.victoria,bc.ca
WWW Home Page: http://islandnet.com/~helen

[Richard Perry]

On Sun, 29 Oct 1995, Helen Edwards wrote:

> I have recently returned to University (I took first year courses 30 years
> ago) and am studying art history.
> The topic I have chosen for my term paper is "The Artist as Propagandist".
> I was wondering if there has been an exhibition at any time on the subject
> or if someone in museum-l land knows where I could get some crackerjack
> information to help me.
> I have visited some art galleries and museums on-line and have done
> extensive reading. I have never studied this subject before and am finding
> it fascinating. I would appreciate any help which you could give me.
>

The Museum of Photographic Arts here in San Diego did an excellent and
provocative exhibition entitled "Camera as Weapon," which looked at
German photography between the wars, particularly that opposing fascist
interests. John Heartfield and other photomonteurs were especially
prominent; photographers from Czech. and other east European countries
were also included. The exhibition traveled to
the Grey at NYU (?) and the Spencer Museum; the catalog is still
available (call David at 619/238-7559, and tell him Groucho sent ya); the
catalog is inexpensive, well-researched and amply illustrated.

Richard Perry
UC San Diego
rpe...@weber.ucsd.edu

[list Michael Mcloughlin]

Helen Edwards wrote:

>I was wondering if there has been an exhibition at any time on the subject
>or if someone in museum-l land knows where I could get some crackerjack
>information to help me.

Dear Helen,
The current exhibition, Russian Jewish Artists in a Century of Change at
The Jewish Museum in New York shows the work of Jewish artists in Russia
from the late 19th century to the 1980s. In doing so, it deals extensively
with the role of art as propaganda -- included in the show are leading
exponents of Socialist Realism. It also illustrates through later work that
art, as propaganda, can be subversive as well as supportive. You may wish
to get the catalog which treats your subject in a number of essays and
should meet your need for some crackerjack information. Their number is 212
423 3200. Best wishes,

Michael McLoughlin
thwaite @nets.com