From November 4 to December 4, 2015, the thematic picture exhibition was held in the Central Exhibition Hall of Moscow. The exposition was called "Romantic Realism, Soviet Painting 1925-1945."
Excitement
The theme of the heritage of the Soviet Union, of course, has always been controversial and controversial. There are many ways to relate to this time. So the exhibition in the Manege "Romantic Realism" was no exception. Some critics reproached her with a veiled sympathy for one of the most bloody periods of Soviet history, while others appreciated the desire to give the art of that era a new breath.
However, like any other art, romantic realism is part of the story, and it has the right to be. The search for a new look at the familiar propaganda culture that is likely to never lose their relevance. This time, the organization of the exhibition devoted to the theme of Soviet art was taken up by the State Museum and Exhibition Center ROSIZO with the support of the Ministry of Culture. The main goal of this project was to clearly demonstrate the essence of Soviet propaganda and to provide the public with the opportunity to see selected works of this period.
Exhibition
Of course, at this exposition one could also meet the works of the real giants of the Stalin era - the well-known Isaac Brodsky, director and screenwriter Sergei Gerasimov, the talented painter Alexander Laktionov. But the paintings were presented at an exhibition entitled "Romantic Realism" and less well-known, but no less gifted personalities - the Soviet painter and sculptor Alexander Deineka, artist Alexander Labas - the main representatives of romantic realism. The works of Russian artists Vasily Kuptsov, Nikolai Denisovsky and many other figures of the Soviet Union did not fail to exhibit.
The promise
The most interesting thing in this exhibition is the conditions under which it took place. "Romantic Realism" opened simultaneously with an exposition dedicated to Orthodox Russia. Naturally, the themes of these two exhibitions are diametrically opposite. If romantic realism glorifies the spirit of the Soviet past, then a spiritual view on this subject casts doubt on all the imaginary “achievements” of the Stalin period. Through the prism of Orthodoxy, the history of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is shown as struggle, deprivation, terror and suffering and patient people living in an outstanding state. This is a story about how the country was unlucky with its ruler, a ruthless and bloody tyrant. However, the spiritual exhibition did not seek to revise history or to present it in its own interpretation. The main task of almost any religious movement is to exalt the martyrs. They in this case were the Soviet people.
The Orthodox exhibition did not seek to denigrate the culture of the Soviet Union. However, she still made her impression and cast a shadow over the exposition “Romantic Realism”. The paintings in the neighboring rooms have the exact opposite character - colorful, vibrant, cheerful sketches, funny happy people laughing with them. The bright future seems to pour from the canvases. So where is the truth? Which side is the truth on? Is there any other opinion different from these? There are many questions that cannot be answered.
Spectacle
Here they are, the canvases themselves, an exhibition in the arena “Romantic Realism”. It’s hard for an ordinary person to imagine, or even hard to believe, that these paintings, full of joy and light, were painted at a time when security officers shot innocent people in basements without trial and investigation, and thousands of workers tried to complete the next on collective farms and factories plan. So is the written reality? After viewing the pictures, everyone should answer this question for himself.
The organizers of the exhibition offer to accept the art of the Stalin era as a tribute to the past, as beautiful captured unfulfilled dreams of a common, happy future, the standard of society and the state. That's why the exhibition bears the proud and dreamy name “Romantic Realism”. Outstanding paintings and politicians like Stalin or Voroshilov respectfully look at us from some canvases. A little distance from the walls of the exhibition center, full of energy and vitality, they fervently look at the visitors of the gymnast and gymnastics. A little further - the magnificent architecture of the time, built or conceived. If you do not recall history, then the spectacle is very impressive. All in the best traditions of the Stalinist propaganda campaign.
findings
None of the organizers rejects the martyrdom of their own state, but does not deny that one can and should be proud of such a past ... And painting is needed in order to enjoy it, even if it does not quite truthfully describe the situation. But one way or another, romantic realism as a trend in culture has a right to exist. One has only to remember that not everything is simple that lies on the surface. As in this case.