Fairy tale 1971

Editor: This is Martiros Sarian's "Fairy Tale," painted in 1971 using oil paint. It has a whimsical, dreamlike quality. The colours are bold and vibrant, even for a night scene. What social commentary, or historical connection, might inform how we view this seemingly simple scene? Curator: Well, this work emerged during a period of strict Soviet cultural policies. Sarian, while celebrated, also navigated these political currents. So, that “whimsical, dreamlike quality” might represent a subtle form of escape. Note how it flirts with Fauvism and Expressionism which is a politically charged statement as both had been dismissed by soviet union. How do these stylistic choices engage, or perhaps evade, the demands for socialist realism, don’t you think? Editor: That makes me see the painting differently. The vibrant colors, once seeming purely aesthetic, now feel almost subversive, a quiet rebellion against the expected drabness. Curator: Precisely. Also consider the role of museums during this era. They were, in many ways, ideological battlegrounds. By showcasing or, conversely, suppressing artists like Sarian, the state reinforced its cultural dominance. What kind of message would showcasing this painting deliver in 1971? Editor: It's fascinating to think of this "Fairy Tale" as having political undertones. I hadn’t considered how the act of painting in this style, and the potential exhibition of it, were inherently political statements. I always thought "fairy tales" were divorced from our current reality, but this certainly is an eye-opener. Curator: It reveals how art and politics are always entwined, even when, or perhaps especially when, the art appears to be innocent. Looking at it in this light gives me fresh appreciation for what was being communicated in public domain. Editor: Thank you, this deeper understanding of the context really helps me appreciate Sarian's choices.