Socialist Realism – the art that replaced constructivism

In the early years of the Soviet Union, Russian and Soviet artists embraced a wide variety of art forms. Revolutionary politics and radical non-traditional art forms were seen as complementary. In art, constructivism flourished. In poetry, the non-traditional and the avant-garde were often praised.

This, however, aroused criticism from elements in the Communist party, who rejected modern styles such as impressionism and cubism, since these movements existed before the revolution and hence were associated with "decadent bourgeois art." Socialist realism was thus to some extent a reaction against the adoption of these "decadent" styles.

“Roses for Stalin”, Boris Vladimirski, 1949

1930s

Boris Shumyatsky becomes head of Shoyuzkino – answered directly to Stalin.

No more formalist experiments

‘Soviet Hollywood’

Chapayev

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrKtPobnFkE

Tractor Drivers – Ivan Pyryev (1939)

"You're a free man," Stalin liked to say to his film directors. "You don't have to listen to me. This is just a suggestion from an ordinary viewer. Take it or leave it."

Of course, they always took it.

'Art workers must realise that those who continue to take an irresponsible, lighthearted attitude to their work, may well find themselves superfluous and outside the ranks of progressive Soviet art, for the cultural requirements and demands of the Soviet theatregoer have developed and the Party and Government will continue to cultivate among the people good taste and encourage exacting demands on works of art.' 

J.V. Stalin (Decisions of the Central Committee, C.P.S.U.(b)

On Literature and Art (]946-1948), Moscow, 1951, pp. 26-28.)