Group 301-401 (Evening): The Art of Russia, Part Three

This is the last film of this documentary series. Our discussion questions:

1. How did Russia's leaders use art, according to Andrew Graham-Dixon?
2. Why was St Petersburg rejected in favor of Moscow as the country's new capital?
3. What is meant by a "rallying cry"?
4. Rodchenko was saying "yes" to construction and engineering. What was he saying "no" to?
5. In announcing the "death of painting," what did artists expect would replace it?
6. What was Vladimir Shukhov's "forgotten constructivist masterpiece"?
7. What is the ironic reference in Graham-Dixon's statement, "the word according to Lenin"?
8. What did the Bolsheviks replace the church with? What bible-like function did it serve?
9. "That individual voice had to be suppressed" for the sake of what, according to the narrator?
10. What made Stakhanov a role model?
11. Who is missing from the Metro's pantheon of heroes?
12. What is prophetic about Deyneka's decorations in Mayakovsky station?
13. At the New Tretyakov Museum, what painting was Graham-Dixon looking for in particular? Why does he call it "reactionary"?
14. How did Alexander Kamensky express his individual viewpoint?
15. How (in English!) does Nikolas Nikogosyan compare Soviet ideals with today's realities?
16. What is the "limited thaw" referred to by Graham-Dixon that followed Stalin's death?
17. Some of the art generated to celebrate the Soviet Union's space achievements remind Graham-Dixon of what earlier period of Soviet art?
18. Why did Graham-Dixon visit Tatiana Levitskaya? What did he want to see at her home? What was the happiest moment of her life?
19. The artists on exhibit at Igor Markin's private museum seem to be asking what, according to the narrator?
20. What does it mean "toe the party line"?
21. What has Zurab Tsereteli removed from the old Communist ideal of art?
22. What is the meaning of Andrei Molodkin's use of oil?
23. What would Molodkin like to do with the world?
24. What is the historical cycle that helps Graham-Dixon understand Russian history and art?