02-17-2008, 08:53 PM
You probably want to pursue the art background of the designers; much more mileage than looking for the memo where Stalin says "and make the head bigger... and the tractor, yes it must be there to show the overthrow of the primitive order and the brith of the modern."
Socialist realism was the order of the time, and doing a bit of googling finds an "I.D. Shadr" as a revolutionary artist (sculptor) from way back. According to McDaniel "I.D. Shadr" was one of the designers of the OL. Supporting the thesis that the imagery in an award is propagandistic based on the past art and philosophy of art coming from the designers seems like a winner. If indeed it's borne out of course.
Socialist realism was the order of the time, and doing a bit of googling finds an "I.D. Shadr" as a revolutionary artist (sculptor) from way back. According to McDaniel "I.D. Shadr" was one of the designers of the OL. Supporting the thesis that the imagery in an award is propagandistic based on the past art and philosophy of art coming from the designers seems like a winner. If indeed it's borne out of course.
Steiner: "Why do you want it so badly? It's just a worthless piece of metal. Look."
