The blog | Communist Universe
Stalin Portraits: styles, the Picasso affair and a buyer's guide
A comprehensive survey of the Stalin portrait: Gerasimov's Socialist Realism, retouched Kremlin photographs, propaganda posters, Picasso's celebrated 1953 drawing and a buyer's guide to incorporating a retro Soviet portrait into your USSR-themed décor.
Russian art: an overview of 20th-century Russian art
A full overview of Russian and Soviet art in the 20th century. From Malevich's avant-garde to Deineka's socialist realism, by way of Tatlin's constructivism and the agitprop poster.
Russian dances: kazatchok, khorovod, Kalinka and more
Panorama of Russian dances: khorovod, kazatchok, Kalinka, Troika and Bolshoi ballet, their origins and codes.
Creation of the USSR 1922: chronology, actors and heritage
Complete history of the creation of the USSR, from the October Revolution of 1917 to the Treaty of December 30, 1922 and the Soviet Constitution of 1924, with the 4 founding republics, the Lenin-Stalin debate and the iconographic heritage.
USSR propaganda: history, artists and symbols
Complete history of USSR propaganda from 1917 to 1991: major artists, iconographic symbols, two opposing graphic schools, contemporary design heritage and selection of decorative objects.
Gopnik: Russian subculture, Slavic look and squat decrypted
Understand the gopnik subculture: OGPU etymology, signature outfit, Slavic squat and hardbass pop culture, with a selection of pieces to recreate the authentic look.
