Page 100 - Communism in Ambush

Soviet propaganda posters from the
1920's: "The Ten Commandments of the
Proletariat" and "The Lie of International
Imperialism."

The same dull, crude understanding of art prevailed there too.
In the period before the revolution, however, Russian society had
produced some excellent works of art and magnificent architecture. The
world-famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg contained an out-
standing collection of art, albeit largely by European artists. But
Communism froze Russian art in 1917 and even reversed its develop-
ment.
The cheerlessness of Communist a art results from the materialist
philosophy that determines the Communist world view. Materialist phi-
losophy, superficial thinking that regards a human being as only an as-
sortment of matter, tries to reduce everything to the material. Applying
materialist philosophy to art has been a fiasco, as in every other area
where it's been applied.
Real art is a God-given esthetic pleasure through which humans
can express their love of beauty and other feelings and emotions. In
order to produce works of fine art, the human spirit must be able to ex-