4. Lenin [V. Briskin, 1970]
The Soviet Union was keen to promote a positive image of itself throughout the early 1970s against a backdrop of the Vietnam War and a highly volatile relationship with the USA. Posters such as this helped to keep Lenin’s political ideologies alive. With no slogans or foreign words whatsoever, this poster was clearly designed for a European and American audience.
5. To Fly Higher Than All, Farther Than All, Faster Than All [D. Pjatkin, 1954]
Published one year after Stalin’s death, this poster reinforces the message that Soviet research and development of weapons and machinery is ongoing. Substantially funded by war reparations from Germany, the Soviets were able to build the MiG-9 Fargo turbo fighter in 1946 and the Yak-15 Feather attack aircraft in 1947. The red stars in the image above symbolise the pilot’s kill score.
6. If You Want To Be Like Me- Just Train! [V. Koretskiy, 1951]
The Soviet Union wanted strong citizens who could work for the benefit of the Motherland. The BGTO training programme was introduced in 1931 and included gymnastics, sprint and long distance running, long and high jumps, discus, javelin, swimming, cross-country skiing and sharp shooting. The boy in the poster above is carrying a book of BGTO standards.
7. A Mighty Sports Power [B. Reshetnikov, 1962]
By 1962, sporting events such as the Olympic Games had become hotly contested between the Soviet Union and the USA. Each was desperate to win in order to demonstrate their power and dominance over the other. In the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games, the Soviet Union was victorious. The character in this poster has been painted to resemble an Olympic torch, with gold medals in the background.
