I love it!
So now I spent the afternoon learning about the WPA Art Project of the 1930's and 1940's
Here's a link with the short version. http://www.gjenvick.com/WPA/AShortHistoryOfTheWPA.html
It's really fascinating and there is so much more to read about it. I can hardly imagine the political up roar and the cries of socialism that this project would have caused. I wonder if I had been taught the U.S. history via the art of each era, if I would have paid more attention.
As I looked at more and more WPA poster art, I began to see the similarities to Soviet style propaganda art.
Because my father was a professor of Russian language and civilization and because our family traveled to the good old USSR when I was young, I have been exposed to a lot of Soviet culture with out having made any real effort. I did some little searching (again, yeah for the internet!) and found some fun comparisons. 
Similar portrayal of their nation's youth.
The USSR message says something like Smite the Lazy, a less cheerful form of encouragement.
The USSR message says something like Smite the Lazy, a less cheerful form of encouragement.
Very different message but interestingly similar artistic lines.
Among other things, the Soviet poster says something like, Follow the City of Lenin.
Here are two more WPA posters I found very interesting from both a social and artistic standpoint.
Maybe if this poster was updated with Osama Bin Laden, more conservatives would car pool.
It would help dispel that pesky tree hugger image that is associated with conservation.
One last Soviet poster that made me laugh. The message encourages people to smoke a pack of cigs a day to keep up the factory production goals for the Soviet economy. I know the message is misguided but the picture makes me think of Dr. Strangelove.
Interesting comparisons, Sylvia. I enjoyed reading this!
ReplyDeleteI told Michael to check out this post, I think he would really like it, I thought the carpool one with Hitler was ABSURD but then Michael explained the context and it's still crazy but now I understand why! ;)
ReplyDeleteAs a graduation present, Craig gave me a Saturday Evening Post from May 29, 1943 (Memorial Day or Decoration Day as it was also called before 1967). The ads were really interesting - a lot of "You can't buy our products right now because we're making war machines, but remember our service after the war".
ReplyDelete