Exhibitions

Epoch of Optimism. Art and propaganda in Soviet in 1920-1940s

1920-40s were, undoubtedly, most dramatic years in the history of Russian photography of XX century. The change of social system caused by the October take-over in 1917 brought about the ideology of social equality and justice.

The authorities assigned high priority to propaganda of these ideas and of their soonest possible realization. Their call for the building of the new world won the sympathies of young Russian intelligentzia for the Bolsheviks. Photography, too, did not stand aside of this process. Already by the late 1920s - early 1930s, three main movements in Soviet photography established and found their leaders: art (or «salon») photography, press photography and «left-wing» photographic movement formed by the «Left Art Front» and the «October» artists group.

Already in the mid-1930s, all three movements started disappearing. By the late 1930s, the Russia art was completely overtaken by the idea of Socialist Realism. The short but very productive «epoch of optimism» that had emerged along the lines of post-revolution enthusiasm and sincere faith in the ideals of the bright future, was replaced by time of the Party's totalitarian control over all processes in the art life of the society.

The finale of the «epoch of optimism» in Soviet photography could be the victory over Fascist Germany in 1945. Photographers who went through the Patriotic War received and showed Victory as a truly national triumph and a reason to hope for a better future. However, harsh postwar censorship, persecutions for the «fifth point» (nationality), country's isolation during the Cold War times did not help to bring this dream to life. Unfortunately, very few photographers from the first Soviet generation gained «second breath» in the postwar time.

Andrey Baskakov

Head of the Russian Union of Art Photographers

Director of FotoSoyuz Agency

Exhibition is provided by the Russian Union of Art Photographers and FotoSoyuz Agency. The photographs on display are a part of the larger Epoch of Optimism show taking place in ROSPHOTO's new Front Building exhibition hall at 35, Bolshaya Morskaya, 2nd floor, from 7 April to 31 May 2011.