Homeland Security goes Soviet kitsch

This hilarious poster in a sort of Socialist Realism-cum-art deco can be found on a Baltimore rail line; via Articulatory Loop:

Seen on the MARC commuter train (between Baltimore and DC) today, this picture pretty much sums up the new "National Security."

I think it's a great joke, myself, although you'll find plenty of chest-pounding "outrage" out there and smug the irony of it alls.

The badge says "MARC Marshals." (And who ever heard of "marshals" on an East Coast rail line? That's a Western affectation.) MARC actually uses Maryland Transit Administration Police (MTA), so there you go.

But look at that woman clutching the train bar as if it's a flag pole (see this), while the guy's tie blows in the wind as he holds onto the strap (see this). That is some funny shit!

Soviet propaganda posters are a real trip. I did a report on them in high school once. I have a similar fascination with Catholic iconography. They are a mixture of great ad art and anti-art monotony, lifelessness and captured energy, and an overwhelming political banality. The early Soviet avant garde was far more experimental and genuinely revolutionary, but joined the Trotskyites, art nouveau, and composers like Shostakovich and Prokofiev in being repressed by Stalinism. Glad to see somebody has a sense of humor.

Some more sites on Soviet poster art here, here, here, and here.

Other bloggings on this at LAT, hilzoy, Pandagon, Old Revolution, OotW, Yglesias, and many more.

Update: There seems to be some genre confusion out there, not that it really matters. But to emphasize the point, this poster is not realism. Obviously. Although its content is Stalin-esque, stylistically it is a descendent of modernism -- which was repressed under Socialist Realism ideology. But the communitarian symbolism of Stalinism is definitely there. Someone here calls it "Soviet-Deco," which I like.

A quick ism-genealogy here. And some exciting 21st Century art deco is being done by Michael L. Kungl. Definitely check him out.

And: As far as satire goes, Old Revolution brought up Micah Wright's Propaganda Remix project as another reference point. "White Collar Revolutionaries" indeed.

Update 2: A commentor at ArtiLoop thinks I'm an idiot, and just may be right:

YOU are the MARC Marshall - on alert for the towel-headed, Quran weilding manaic (sic), duh.

Comments

[EARL KIRKMAN]

How sweet!! Soon we can show the spreading stain from DCA to PHL to RFK to BWI. A nice image to make us all secure in our beds/pods at night.

[EARL KIRKMAN]

How sweet!! Soon we can show the spreading stain from DCA to PHL to RFK to BWI. A nice image to make us all secure in our beds/pods at night.

[CKR]

Another example of the old adage

Choose your enemies carefully, because you will become like them.

The first time I sat in a meeting where the DOE requirement for five-year plans was handed down, I didn't know whether to let out the snort of laughter that was my instant response. Having worked in the bureaucracy, I kept it bottled up.

They were serious. I nearly choked.

[CKR]

That said, I do enjoy that old Soviet art.

Wouldn't have it in my home (maybe in a game room) or use it for public purposes, but I get a giggle out of it. And the big statues can be moving in a way.