The artistic revolution of Socialist Realism
Art reflects society and can be a powerful weapon to convey political and social ideas. One of the most remarkable artistic movements of the 20th century was undoubtedly Socialist Realism. This artistic movement, which took root in the communist countries of the East, not only shaped the visual arts, but also literature, theater and the film industry.
Socialist Realism emerged in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and quickly became the preferred form of artistic expression in the communist states, including the GDR, Poland, China and Cuba. The idea behind it was to use art as a tool to promote the ideology of communism and spread the messages of class struggle, progress and social change.
In contrast to the abstract and experimental movements of the West that emerged during modernism, Socialist Realism called for a realistic depiction of the world and emphasized the positive role of the individual in the social collective. Artists were encouraged to depict scenes from the everyday life of the working class, peasants and soldiers and to glorify the achievements of socialism.