Available Formats
Communist Posters
By (Author) Mary Ginsberg
Reaktion Books
Reaktion Books
10th August 2017
United Kingdom
Tertiary Education
Non Fiction
Far-left political ideologies and movements
741.674
Hardback
272
Width 214mm, Height 290mm
This is the first truly global survey of the history and variety of communist poster art. The book features 295 illustrations, with 290 in colour, of communist posters from throughout the world.
One of the common features of communist regimes is the use of art for revolutionary means. Posters in particular have served as beacons of propaganda vehicles of coercion, instruction, censure, and debate in every communist nation. They have promoted the authority of state and revolution, but have also been used as an effective means of protest. By their nature, posters are ephemeral, tied to time and place, but many have had far-reaching, long-lasting impact. They are imbued with both artistic integrity and personal conviction Bolshevik posters, for example, are among the most vibrant, passionate graphics in art history.
This is the first truly global survey of the history and variety of communist poster art. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field, and examines a different region of the world: Russia, China, Mongolia, Eastern Europe, North Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba. This beautifully illustrated, comprehensive survey examines the broad range of political and visual cultures of communist posters, and will appeal to a wide audience interested in art, history, and politics.
[a] radiant art book about the intersection of art and revolution. Organized by region, the book examines the political and visual cultures of communist or formerly communist countries around the world, showcasing their similarities and differences through comparative analysis of their poster art . . . Colorful, provocative imagery fills almost every page, with many posters given full-page spreads. This is both a visual feast and an illuminating global study. * Publishers Weekly *
The first major survey of communist poster art considers the visual legacy of propaganda graphic design in nations around the world.
* Hyperallergic *Mary Ginsberg has had a career in international finance, and latterly has been a curator at the British Museum, London. She is the author of The Art of Influence: Asian Propaganda (2013).