Sunday, May 16, 2010

Chap. 30 (Cold War) ~ Art







The 1st picture is obviously a cartoon, and it seems drawn kind of in a crude manner. It depicts secretary of state George Marshall's economic aid plan, the Marshall Plan. It was refused by many, particularly Stalin, because he wanted to communism to remain as powerful as it was. One can see in the cartoon that it is the american taxpayer doing all the work and the European sitting on the bicycle, not doing much besides pedaling, and the bicycle is self supporting itself. I think that this is basically saying that everyone had to start self supporting themselves under the plan, and by the expression on the mens' faces, they don't seem too thrilled. They kind of seem possessed, controlled. Thus, even Stalin is overlooked by many as evil(I still think he was), he was also smart and cunning.


The 2nd picture honestly makes me feel depressed. I think it really depicts very well the conditions of Europe after the Cold war. Uncle Sam looks defeated, deprived and is wounded. I think that clearly represents America wanting to not be involved anymore. And why would it not think that? Everyone around the world at the time thought that Europe was done for; that's how bad it was.


The 3rd picture was really painted by an artist during the war, whose name was Georg Baselitz. One wouldn't really guess that this painting has anything to do with the Cold war, but I think that is because not many people are aware of how bad it was for civilians. The painting shows mangled bodies, blood, ashes, and I think pieces of wired fences over the pieces of flesh.

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