Kunst in Diktaturen

The role that art plays in dictatorships is defined by the relationship between art, power and politics. Art is used to correspond with ideological statements and deliver political messages.
When art functions as an instrument of propaganda, various different mediums are employed such as painting, sculpture, and architecture, poster art, theatre, sports events, photography and film, as well as choreographed performances such as parades and mass rallies.
If one looks back, it is clear that rulers valued and recognised certain artists and their work, because their work corresponded with the dominant thinkers and beliefs of the time and effectively visually supported dictatorial agitation.
Art was a part of the propaganda apparatus, which via codes, symbols, and signs, helped to legitimise the ruling system. At the same time, artists and works who/which did not correspond with the prevailing ideology were deliberately ostracised, persecuted and destroyed- the most famous example of this being the "Degenerate Art" campaign. Although it cannot be said to apply in all cases, objective, realistic art was generally better regarded than abstract art. In architecture, political power was translated into over-exaggerated formal language and utopian architectural visions. The focus on national histories resulted in a conscious return to older styles such as neoclassicism.