Hope is Not Propaganda by JuliaGerhard on Blogster

1932…. Soviet Union…. Millions of Russian writers and artists were paid to produce art that glorifies the ruthless ruler - Stalin and the dictatorship of the proletariat. They were forced to swallow up their personal artistic expression, shut down their minds and make their hands create soulless propaganda. When common people started to slowly realize all the horrible drawbacks of the communist society, when they finally were beginning to understand that their callous hands were being used as a tool to build a more powerful, more demolishing Communist Empire, the government created an official state art style called socialist realism. Socialist realism was the product of the Soviet system that made all the artists and writers the state employees and demanded to elevate the common worker through art by presenting his life and work as admirable. A great number of heroic portraits of Stalin were also produced during that time to serve his cult of personality and depict him as a “friend of the people”. Yes, the scale of this propaganda was enormous. You had to follow the rules of the government machine without doubt; otherwise you would be sent to the Gulag labor camps in Siberia and would never see your children again.

Now if we look at what was happening in Japan at the same time in history, we find the country in devastating condition, where poverty and unemployment were spreading at an incredible rate; it was evident that Japan was heading to a crisis. Ono, the main character of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel “An Artist of the Floating World” observed the reality of people’s life at that time with sincere sadness. His heart went out for what he saw in the streets of his native town: “the strong nauseous smell” derived from the sewers, “crying babies, barking dogs”, “open-sewer ditches”, little children “torturing some animal”. Ono finally realizes what has become with his country and in conversation with Matsuda he admits: “It makes one want to do something for them”. He finally becomes aware of the fact that the real world is quite different from the “floating world” he used to portray in his paintings. He was “hiding away from the real world” and now when he lastly faces it he realizes that the country needs a change.

When people recognize that there is something wrong with the society they live in, they seek for change. A new idea, a new approach to better the conditions of life, so that there will be bread on the table for children, there will be work for skilled artisans and prosperity for the whole country. But change can’t be achieved if you are the only one who believes in it. You need to spread the idea of change among common people, you need to help people open their eyes and wake up. Ono truly believes that his country is in need for change even if it means going to war with foreign countries. He has best intentions when he starts using his talent to depict soldiers instead of geishas, rifles instead of fans. He sincerely believes that his art will help to improve the situation in his country. He even leaves his favorite art teacher Mori-san because he feels that it is his responsibility to do something honorable for his country, his faith in his new art as a remedy for his nation is unbreakable. Therefore, in my opinion, his new art style wasn’t propaganda.

When in Soviet Union in the 1930’s an artist was paid to present a coldblooded dictator as a compassionate ruler who takes care of his nation’s children that were left parentless and homeless according to his decision to send their disobedient parents to labor camps in Siberia forever, to me that is hideous propaganda.

"Roses for Stalin", Boris Vladimirski, 1949

The poster reads: “Honor to great Stalin – the best friend of the children.”

When in Soviet Union an artist was forced to portray an agricultural worker’s life as enjoyable and pleasant (when in real life they were fainting silently from hunger and dehydration on corn fields working from sunset to dawn) to deceive common people in believing that communism was the ultimate successful society for the working class, to me that is repugnant propaganda.

Socialist Realism in Soviet Poland. The poster reads : ‘Our young hearts are beating for our nation'.

Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Sculpture in Moscow (1935-1937)

     When in Soviet Union a state poster painted by a state artist dictates the “appropriate behavior” for the citizens, to me that is a lie, to me that is propaganda.
Slogan on this poster says :” Don’t chatter! Be alert! These days even walls have ears! Gossip leads to betrayal!”

This slogan says : “NO!” ( meaning “Say No to alcohol”)

       Artists in the Soviet Union were aware of all the horrible consequences of the communism, yet they continued to lie to people through their art, they continued to paint repugnant propaganda to prevent people from waking up and seeing the true meaning behind communism.
      Ono, on the other hand, is absolutely sincere in his desire to change the country, he doesn’t want to deceive people; on the contrary he aims to open people’s eyes and make them see what steps their nation has to take to better its poor condition. His faith for a brighter future inspires him and makes him want to share it with people through his art. His paintings are not propaganda, they are hope. They are the inspiration of someone who wants to find a cure for his nation. They are the determination of someone who feels responsible for the future of his country. They are the courage of someone who is not afraid to take firm actions for better prospects. He puts it best in his conversation with Tortoise : “ Tell me Tortoise, don’t you have ambitions to one day produce paintings of genuine importance? I don’t mean simply work that we may admire and praise amongst ourselves here at the villa. I refer to work of real importance. Work that will be significant contribution to the people of our nation”( 163).
     In my mind, a person, who follows his or her beliefs no matter what others think, deserves respect. In my mind, a person, who feels responsible for the future of his nation, deserves honor. In my mind, a person who uses his art to portray something that he believes will change his country for better, deserves admiration…