Blindman's Bluff

Blindman's Bluff by Komar and Melamid

1982-3

Oil on canvas

182.9 x 119.4 cm

1. Artists’ Bio

            a. 1943, Vitaly Komar born

            b. 1945, Alexander Melamid born

            c. 1963, both students/met at Stroganov Institute of Art and Design in Moscow

            d. 1965, Lectured about history of Russian art together; took art in avant-garde exhibitions, expelled from Moscow Union of Artists

            e. 1977, Immigrated to Israel --> Later, New York --> 1988, American citizens

        

2. Subject Matter

            a. Russia’s totalitarian regime through “Nostalgic Socialist Realism,” parodied the art form that acted as propaganda of Stalin's greatness, peasant life, etc.

            b. Visual Analysis – a blindfolded schoolgirl and a military man play the traditional game of Blindman’s Bluff

                        i. Stalin’s portrait hangs on the wall of the empty room – watchful, a guiding figure with a strong presence in the Russian citizen's life

                        ii. billowing curtain – statement on the excess of Baroque paintings

3. Artistic Influences

            a. Legacy – reminder of oppression on citizens

4. Contextual Analysis – A response to Communist propaganda and daily life in Soviet Union, early art history, restrictions, the totalitarian state