Revolutionary Kitsch

The high speed rails in China have been in news often lately.  The newly opened Beijing-Shanghai line was the birth gift to the ruling Communist Party's 90th anniversary (July 1).  That anniversary was a big event and the Chinese officials at all levels competed to outdo each other to show their ardor.



According to People Daily, on June 30th, a titled "Glorious History" special exhibit, organized by Shandong Provincial Art Museum, sponsored by the Shandong Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, Shandong Provincial Department of Culture, and Literary Federation, opened to the public.  It boasted "more than 70 pieces of epic paintings, demonstrating the Chinese Communist Party's glorious history and great achievements, demonstrating the dazzling chapter of Shandong Fine Arts. These classic works of art by well-known Shandong artists, were collected from all over the country. These works have repeatedly appeared in the art albums and teaching materials, and their carefully conceptions, in-depth expression, detailed characterization, magnificent momentum , unique language, sincere feelings for the people left vivid and exciting historical chapters and have become moving spiritual power."

After the banal description, the newspaper then named those "well-known" Shandong artists, including Gao Quan, Zhang Hongxiang, Yang Songlin, Qin Dahu, Lu Zhang, Wang Yidong (oil paintings) and Liu Baochun, Shan Yinggui, Cai Yushui (Chinese paintings) and singled out several works for their "moving and educational strength":


"Party Chairman Mao established Party in the company" by Gao Quan


"Score one more victory" by Zhang Hongxiang and Cui Senlin


"Little Eighth Army Soldier" by Sun Zixi

 
"Premier Zhou and the sailors" by Sun Yanzheng

However, the staginess of these works betrayed the influence of Mao's infamous demand on artist -" literature and art are subordinate to politics".  These paintings are false and banal, despite if they were well-executed or not.

I call them revolutionary kitsch.