Oh Yah, Jenna Gets Political: North Korean art show stirs controversy in Vienna

Ah, art; it never seems to amaze me how some people’s common sense is so easily jettisoned in exchange for some proverbial self, or political, promotion in order to cast a sheet of delirium to the outside world. I am in no means in any political position in which I am able to intellectually comment on the state of certain countries, however, I am fluent in art’s ability to portray unrealistic, and often misguided, images that delude onlookers. This month an exhibition is being showcased at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna of North Korean art, offering a rare look into the isolated country’s art scene. Though, enraged critics have called the show a bold example of political propaganda.
Children basking in the sun, well fed and clothed in brilliant colors, beaming farm women feeding geese and ducks, is how North Korean painters have depicted their famine country. The founders of the Communist administration, Kim II-sung and his son Kim Jong-il appear dominating in shades of deep red and royal blue; Stalinian architecture is even displayed throughout the exhibit. Kim II-sung and KimJong-il proudly displayed their own portraits seem to emit an encouraging demeanor to support North Korea’s path to its revolutionary future.
One may believe this exhibit to be a welcomed glimpse into this secretive country, and perhaps better understand North Korea’s isolation, yet, the absence of any background explanation on the totalitarian nature of the country is what caused suspicion to this art exhibits agenda. North Korea is the last dictatorship in this world and I think it is crucial for the world to be reminded of this fact instead of masking its authoritarian regime behind children with flowers in their hair and women joyfully shopping on flourishing streets. I think art, like morality, needs to always have a line that should be cautious of crossing. North Korea is a totalitarian country and their art serves the glorification of the leader and his system. The picture strike me as extremely cynical where children watch tiny kites fly in a dream like trance which, can be seen, as a kinder world that is out of reach.
Art has no borders. Yet, it makes me wonder whether it is capable of changing anything, in this case, the political situation of a country. Yes, you may get a slightly different view or new understand through art but how can one decipher the motives behind the artist especially coming from a country whose regulations and rules regarding the construction and distribution of their art is highly controlled. I suppose all one can do is appreciate the aesthetic beauty of the paintings and to neglect the motives of the paintings construction.