Ever since I ghosted/disappeared (Whatever you wanna call it) I got into a book named: Young Stalin. This book was written by Simon Sebag-Montefiore. The book is a masterpiece - really - one of the most interesting history/biographies (Yes, I'm also gonna call it a biopic - simply cos its epic (Still in the process of reading it) that I have ever read. The book simply to put it, is a biography which tells the story of one of the biggest figures in the history of our current world. I mean, this guy was revolutionary - people I've come across haven't heard of him before - but trust me when I say he is FULLY on par with Adolf Hitler.His name has put obvious by the title is Josep Stalin. The book goes through what he did before he came into control of a European powerhouse, the USSR.
History has never been MY thing with the exception being to do with Art and their artists such as Van Gogh. I really suggest you check it out and BUY IT - cos its worth it!
BUT however amazing the book was/is we aren't here to discuss it - we are here to discuss art linked to Stalin.
Recently I came across an image of this ominous figure. The image as detailed on the website was on Inkjet printed collage on Artist paper, for which an online auction was held (Wish I had been part of it back in '11) and I found it a rather fascinating piece of art, especially, as it caught my eye.
Below you'll be able to see the piece of art named:
"Tehran Conference - Let's Play Boys" By Afsoon.
(***If you do know the artist, please contact me right away I wish to get the details as closely as possible**)
Man... doesn't it stand out to you? Funniest thing is that the artist is not very very well known especially in our society nowadays. But. Isn't it breathtaking?
Take a moment to see the details in and around the image...
Firstly, before I make my comments, let's quickly delve into the inspiration that was the title of this piece of art. "Tehran Conference - Let's Play Boys".....
Now instantly "Tehran Conference" MUST mean something, and typing that into Google (I haven't gotten far into the book yet for me to just say what it means). And I found this out:
Weirdly, the Tehran Conference was a meeting that was held during the period of November 28 and December 1, 1943. Present were, the US President Franklin D Roosevelt, UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and USSR leader Josep Stalin, taking place in TEHRAN, IRAN. During this conference, the stratagem to fight the oncoming Germans and Japans was decided upon by the three leaders present. Also different decisions about Post World War 2 were made.
The title explains a lot, if not the bulk of the image. Whether it was coincidental or planned it was brilliant. The title, just tells about the conference, a meeting, in the image, we can see a meeting of colours and of ages. The colour grey, black and white (Especially when included with the other two), do not normally go with the bright colours (Pink, blue orange etc). The meeting of such colours kinda tell me that Stalin may have either felt disconnected by his current surroundings or powerful, simply by the fact that he stood out above it all and his "comrades". Stalin as I've read in the book so far, as a youth, was first a choirboy and student priest and then ironically became the embodiment of everything that goes against it - a criminal that partook in different crimes including adultery and murder and thieving. And... yet somehow he got to the totem pole of one of the most wanted positions in the whole of European politics.... Europe. Period. I think that he felt special aswell, to put in within such a background just tells us that his chest was always out like a lion's and this put off any competition that attempted to deal with him. Stalin here is emerging from the flowers, that percentage of the population that struggled, (His family was quite poor considering the fact that he was training to be a priest) but instead of being of positive colours he came out somewhat a "blemished flower" one who did the "dirty work" as a chimney boy, up the chimney to rise to the top like smoke. The part in the title saying: "Let's Play Boys" is kind-of simply a play on words telling us that Stalin and the others were ready, with Stalin considering himself as the head of operations leading the crusade against Germany. The look he gives to (his right) our left, is one of confidence and clear mind with a knowledge that he KNEW everything was going to work in his favour, shown by the surrounding flowers crowding him, sort of almost in a support like position. He also shows almost no fear - like he's looking into the future knowing that there'd only be safety for him.
The clash of ages also shows me that Stalin was almost in a sense fading from the bright future which was going to engulf him (the flowers guys!), due to his outdated look, which was quickly engulfing Adolf Hitler too. Stalin didn't see it this way though. His confidence was HIGH. He was MIGHTY and powerful and barely anyone else could reach him and what he possessed and achieved. Therefore he saw a secure future, nothing else.
The artist, Afsoon - who originates from Iran (Ironically where the piece of art set in), being a fashionista (Can be easily seen by the pattern of the surrounding flowers near Stalin), gave this painting a great deal of imagination mixed with knowledge. I think she DEFINITELY knew what she was doing and that this unique type of art that she displayed, just forces it to be conveyed in a much better than light than it already supposedly is. Afsoon is helping the viewer to see that the fact that there is a pattern isn't just there for someone to awe at, but also to see the pattern in the actions of such a historical figure. Such historical figures landed themselves because of their extreme backgrounds, which required extreme reactions. The background of the flowers sympathizes with Stalin's poor background and shows where he has gotten to with it through the bliss colours chosen, which make it stand out and make him the man that he had become in that time.
Look! He's still making the news ;D
Check this video out too - coming from the BBC
Find out a bit more on Afsoon here.
If you wish for me to make any such comments on art pieces just say and I'll post up. Just send the inquiry to kigen111@gmail.com or tweet @kigen_art!
Hope you enjoyed the post.
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