Communism and fine arts

by anacondachoker

Generally speaking how did most communist régime's throughout history view non realist artist, non classical musicians, and writers in society?

Adarga

In general terms, avant-garde art in China and the USSR (but not in Cuba) was criticized for being bourgeois: it was not easy to understand, it did not praise the virtues of the people, and it did not help promoting the state.

This being said, avant-garde art had been welcomed in Soviet Russia at first, in part because non-traditional art was seen as revolutionary. Also, during the New Economic Policy artists faced few restrictions, which led constructivism to thrive. With the advent of Stalin, however, a new heroic, realistic style (Socialist realism) was enforced.

A couple of books on the topic:

  • Victor Margolin, The Struggle for Utopia

  • Christina Kiaer, Imagine No Possessions

  • Matthew Cullerne Bown, Socialist Realist Painting