Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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.

庆祝中国共产党建党90周年“光辉的历程”经典美术作品展开幕式 - 山东省委宣传部、山东省文化厅、山东省文联主办,山东省美术馆 - Celebrate the 90th anniversary of founding of the Chinese Communist Party "glorious history" Classic Art Exhibition Opening - Shandong Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, Shand

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":

《毛主席在连队建党》 高泉 - "Party Chairman Mao established Party in the company" by Gao Quan
"Party Chairman Mao established Party in the company" by Gao Quan

《节节胜利》 张洪祥 崔森林 - "Score one more victory" by Zhang Hongxiang and Cui Senlin
"Score one more victory" by Zhang Hongxiang and Cui Senlin

《小八路》 孙滋溪 - Little Eighth Army Soldier" by Sun Zixi
"Little Eighth Army Soldier" by Sun Zixi

 《周总理和水兵》 孙延政 - "Premier Zhou and the sailors" by Sun Yanzheng
"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.

No comments:

Post a Comment