The Fund, established by AIAP, combines materials bearing witness to the exhibition entitled “Il Manifesto di San Pietroburgo” (The St. Petersburg Poster) (1985-1992), which was held in 1995 and represents the period of transition, known as “Perestroika”, ranging between the Soviet regime and democracy. The collection consists of approximately 120 items, including original plates, prints and reproductions.
Perestroika Graphic Design Fund
Perestroika Graphic Design
In the former Soviet Union, the poster, particularly that of a political and cultural nature, was on a par with the major arts; graphic designers took special courses reserved especially for them at the Academy of Fine Arts and later became members of the Union of Artists.
Until 1985, each poster design was submitted for approval to the Plakat publishing house, which would later take on the name Panorama. The Communist Party Central Committee exercised tight control in this area, believing that the social function of art was crucial to “the ideological development of personality”.
Throughout the period between 1985 and 1991, Perestroika changed this kind of logic and graphic artists gained a certain freedom of criticism.
Until 1985, each poster design was submitted for approval to the Plakat publishing house, which would later take on the name Panorama. The Communist Party Central Committee exercised tight control in this area, believing that the social function of art was crucial to “the ideological development of personality”.
Throughout the period between 1985 and 1991, Perestroika changed this kind of logic and graphic artists gained a certain freedom of criticism.
Visit the Archive
The Graphic Design Library and Archive can only be accessed by appointment and a temporary membership. When making an enquiry, it is advisable to state the reason for the consultation in as much detail as possible: greater clarity will enable us to provide the best possible service to students and researchers and to prepare the materials accordingly.