Culver City,
California
x
Down with Bullying!
Date Made: 1990-1991
Country: Soviet Union
Measurements: 60 cm x 90 cm; 23 5/8 in x 35 7/16 in
The poster depicts a faceless, pure white profile of a soldier, with mouth open and the words in Russian “Down with Bullying!” coming out as a forceful red slogan. The soldier’s uniform is green and red with yellow-trimmed accents of stars on the jacket’s collar and top button, and the right side of the jacket has the Russian “SA” for Soviet Army on the red shoulder mark. The words “Down with Bullying!” could also be connected to the gold Soviet military belt buckle that appears to be hitting the man’s cheek. The reference to bullying and the inherent violence of a belt buckle slap references the tradition of hazing in the Soviet Army, where senior officers were known to use violence and intimidation against new recruits as part of their initiation. The faceless image of the Soviet soldier, with the color of both his neck and his jacket fading into the blackness of the background, appeals to the viewer’s compassion through its portrayal of the vanishing, young everyman.
Accession Number: 2009.053.030
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