1. How did socialist realism become a state doctrine?

Russia – Soviet Art and Culture, 1917-1953

In this course, Dr Simon Huxtable (Birkbeck, University of London) discusses art and culture from the Russian Revolution until the death of Stalin, 1917-1953. In the first lecture, we explore what socialist realism was and how it emerged as the state artistic doctrine under Stalin. In the second lecture, we investigate the evolution of mass culture, and how this mass culture interacted with Soviet communist ideology. Third, we look to the Soviet Republics and think about what art and culture looked like beyond Russia. Finally, in the fourth lecture, we delve into the interplay between violence and culture, looking at the great purge and the repression of artists, in particular the ‘Executed Renaissance’ of Ukraine.

1. How did socialist realism become a state doctrine?

In this module we think about the emergence of socialist realism, focussing on: (i) the period following the Russian Revolution that saw a period of cultural experimentation with movements like Proletkult and Constructivism, aimed to align Soviet art with revolutionary ideals ; (ii) the early 1930s shift under Stalin towards Socialist Realism, using culture as propaganda to depict revolutionary themes and glorify Soviet achievements ; (iii) how this movement simplified and controlled artistic expression, making it more accessible to the masses but stifling creativity and suppressing alternative art forms.