Gustav Klucis (Russian, 1895-1944). Fulfilled Plan, Great Work. 1930. Gravure, 46 3/4 x 33 1/4" (118.8 x 84.5cm). Jan Tschichold Collection

How to read a label

The words in this poster are in Russian and translate to "Fulfilled Plan, Great Work." This poster was mass-produced and displayed in the public places to inspire economic change in Russia. In 1928, the Russian leader Josef Stalin began his first Five-Year Plan and such posters were intended to encourage the Russian people to work together to industrialize their country. New technologies allowed for the merger of photography and printing in this poster.

1. Does this information change the way you see this image?
   
   
2. Do you think art can be a successful way of expressing government messages? Why or why not?

Dorthea Lange (American, 1895-1965). Migrant Mother. Nipomo, California. 1936. Gelatin silver print. 16 15/16 x 12 5/8" (43.1 x 32.1 cm) Purchase

Both works were part of a larger campaign to raise national awareness-in the case of Lange, American awareness of the Depression and benefits of President Roosevelt's New Deal, and in the case of Klucis, Soviet awareness and support for Stalin's Five-Year Plan.

1. What do you think about this comparison?
   
   
2. Can you think of any government-sponsored images or advertisements you may see on the street, on television, or anywhere else (for example messages about health, the environment or military service)? How do they get your attention? Do you think they effectively send a message?
   Why or why not?

Take a look at a few advertisements you consider appealing in magazines, newspapers, on buses or trains, or on billboards etc. What is it about the advertisements that you find appealing? How do they use words and images? Overall, what do you think makes a good advertisement?

Based on your responses to these questions, make an advertisement of your own. It could be for a product, an idea, or a political message. You might want to cut words and images from a magazine, or maybe use your own photographs and drawings. What size would you want this to be? What colors would you use? Where would you want your advertisement to appear, and why?