Haven't got
Iron Fists: Branding the 20th Century Totalitarian State yet, but judging by this short article, the book should be interesting.
article link: The Master Race's Graphic Masterpiece (http://observatory.designobserver.com/entry.html?entry=24358)
QuoteThis provocative survey reveals how four of the most destructive dictatorships of the 20th century - Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Soviet Russia and Communist China - used graphic design to sell their messages. Explores each regime's distinctive strategies for seducing public opinion and infiltrating people's lives, in media ranging from logos, flags, typefaces and posters to children's books and figurines Remarkable archival photographs set the disturbingly powerful graphic devices in historical context. The perceptive text analyses how these four regimes established the most effective modes of visual propaganda, which were later adopted and adapted by many other dictatorships.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN//071486109X (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN//071486109X)
Good book! Yet to read through the entire thing, but even simply the visuals are amazing!
Found copies for sale in UK for mere 18GBP + 2 for shipping.. !
Yeah, I really like it. Got it for roughly 25 EURO postpaid in Sweden so that was decent enough. Read most of the Nazi stuff and once he got over making sure nobody thinks he is a nazi it was a good read. Great to catch up which fonts that are Jewish too. It made me chuckle a bit when I realised that the Secret King book was part typeset with a font (Fraktur) that was a "danger to National Socialism" according to Hitler.
ordered from play. very interesting indeed.
Must bump up this topic, as finally just about finish this book. It's so damn good, I have a feeling I don't really want to read & look it through too soon. Few shots of whiskey and polish vodka and very little else is needed for good evening. My personal favorites remain very effective heroic nazi germany and carnival of fascist italia, yet russian avant-garde in early days has plenty of good visual & revolutionary spirit in context of art. Chinese, they fall way behind.
I wonder is there books of art of Cuba? I recall watching document, where they mentioned street advertising is now allowed in Cuba. Instead, you have revolutionary iconic images. I have very very little tolerance for image of Che or such, but the idea of removing commercial advertising from streets is certainly appealing.
Yes have to agree that this is a very well put together book. Strong imagery and strong non-sensationalistic context. Looking through this also answered for me at least some contexts for a number of prior used 'scene' images or originating inspirations.
Need to pick this up. Last time in Helsinki I got Taschens Chinese Propaganda Posters. Falling behind, pheeeew! You just don't appreciate the fine art of complete oriental insanity Mikko, haha
There is this particular one I wanted to post but I'm horrible at navigating the internet, the book is highly recommendable, an lofi acid trip in totalitarianism, nationalism, screaming colors and good vibes
I've only seen some revolutionary Chinese printmaking, woodcuts and such which are usually very nice.
And then there's this of course:
http://youtu.be/VTY5arD04qE?t=1m49s
Scene from Red Detachment of Women, one of extremely few films made during the cultural revolution.
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to checking it out. You ever seen the absurd DPRK Godzilla movie?
Quote from: KHH on December 30, 2012, 09:13:18 PM
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to checking it out. You ever seen the absurd DPRK Godzilla movie?
Hah, no... is it available online or such?
The whole of Red detachment is uploaded here apparently: http://archive.org/details/The_Red_Detachment_of_Women
I don't know if I can be bothered to watch it all, it's basically a filmed Peking opera/ballet performance. But it looks pretty fun.