Macdonald = Socialism, from the Workers' Illustrated News 1930

John Heartfield made this photomontage, Macdonald = Socialism, from the Workers' Illustrated News. There is an urgent, anti-capitalist message conveyed by the contrast of textures and tones in this image. The man in the suit, presumably Macdonald, is placed next to planes and tanks which conveys strength through layering. I love how Heartfield’s collages don’t just illustrate, they agitate; the literal cutting and pasting becomes a visual metaphor for political upheaval. The gas masks worn by soldiers on the bottom of the image add a layer of threat, whilst the planes in the top half seem to offer freedom, but perhaps they also threaten an aerial assault. The lettering ‘Nach in Dien – to India’ is also pasted onto the image, which shows Heartfield taking aim at imperialist attitudes. Hannah Höch is a key reference point for me when thinking about Heartfield’s work, especially when considering the way that photomontage can be used to make a political point. Ultimately, Heartfield’s cut and paste technique leaves room for interpretation and dialogue which makes his art so lasting.