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Maker: Iurii Borisovich Leonov

Theatre of the Absurd

Date Made: 1991
Country: Soviet Union

Measurements: 90 cm x 60 cm; 35 7/16 in x 23 5/8 in

Description

This painting illustrates a traditional children's game—"Hunt the Thimble?" or “Cold-Hot.” In this interpretation of the game, the object being hidden and then revealed is a tank rather than a thimble. The text below the game in Russian reads: “Theatre of the Absurd. Starting on January 15, 1991.” On this date, a U.S.-led coalition staged massive air strikes against Iraqi targets. Saddam Hussein responded with a missile attack against Israel; however, due to U.S. pressure, Israel did not retaliate. The depiction of this game with a military vehicle brings the idea of military warfare down to the level of children, thus ridiculing the air attacks and their motives. There is a play on words in the title of this painting "Teatr abSSSRda;" USSR (Russian: SSSR) is incorporated into the word "Absurd."

Accession Number: 2009.053.014

Item Name: Painting
Credit Line: The Ferris Russian Collection, Donated by Tom and Jeri Ferris
Collection/Series: The Ferris Russian Collection, Donated by Tom and Jeri Ferris

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