Work and Play Behind the Iron Curtain

Work and Play Behind the Iron Curtain examines the changing face of Soviet design from the 1917 Revolution to Perestroika. The exhibition brings together over fifty key objects featuring the quirky, colourful and often charming design style that emerged from the 1950s in the Soviet Union. The preceding period, bound by more severe, functional principles, is examined through models and photographs from the famous ZIL factory, which produced both armoured trucks and domestic appliances. Part of GRAD’s on-going exploration of Russian design history, this show tackles a relatively unknown yet prolific period. This exhibition provides a rare opportunity to examine every day life, work and play in the Soviet Union, through the prism of its quirky, yet iconic designs, be they quotidian items such as the avoska string shopping bag or models for high-security military vehicles. Performances, interactive events and digital media resources will complement the display, revealing what life was really like behind the Iron Curtain.