This past week, my AIS class took an excursion down into the city to explore the extreme separation of different Chicago neighborhoods and also to see the Vision of Communism exhibit on Communist propaganda at the Smart Museum in Hyde Park. The artist that created the unique propaganda was Viktor Koretsky, a man whose artwork concentrated on the emotional link between Soviet citizens and others across the globe struggling for independence (see more information here).The piece of art that I found most interesting was a picture of a black soldier smiling, holding a gun, smoking a cigarette, with a pile of skulls behind him. He was also adorned with many expensive watches, bracelets, and necklaces. What furthered my interest was the drawing below it--the exact same image with the colors flipped, so the soldier was white but the skulls behind him were black. This image I am describing should be to the right of this text.
These two pictures really got me thinking about the message Koretsky was trying to send about his view on Communism. Automatically, when I think of the contrast between black and white, I jump to the clash between good and evil. Was Koretsky saying that the soldiers fighting for Communism were wicked or pure? Does the jewelry represent corruption or rewards for good intentions? Do the skulls represent those who deserved to die, or were killed unjustly? Or, maybe, is the entire controversy a gray area?
I think that the jewelry in particular was the most important part of the piece. I believe it represents corruption. It is also used as a juxtaposition. Think about it. Jewelry--something beautiful, shiny, sparkly--next to a pile of skulls--death, sadness, corruption. It is meant to be a contrast, but also to draw up the idea of ignorance? How can you wear these necklaces and bracelets and pretty things when you have killed so many?
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