Arts Art Work
Jen Graves and people who produce art in capitalist societies, this passage, which is taken from an article posted on Open Democracy’s site, is just for you:
The subjects originally required by Juche art [North Korea’s version of Socialist Realism—a Soviet school that produced several masterpieces, the most remarkable of which is Cement] were limited to such themes as: portraying the General, the relationship of the military and the people, the construction of socialism, National Pride and such like. However, in the 1970s landscape was also approved, when Kim Jong-il instructed: “The idea of describing Nature in a socialist country is to promote patriotism, heighten the national pride and confidence of the public in living in a socialist country.” The result has been a huge increase in the production of oil paintings of natural scenes. All artists in North Korea are registered as members of the Korean Artists Federation and receive monthly salaries, for which they are expected to produce a certain number of works. Some artists work “on the spot”, at factories or construction sites, whereas others go to an office. Both would be expected to work regular hours and have about two hours of study or discussion in the evenings with regular reports and evaluations. Abstract or conceptual art is forbidden and the subjects and themes of works of art are limited.
The next item is this incredible building, Ryugyong Hotel, which is in the Potong-gang District of Pyongyang, North Korea:
For those not in the know, this building has yet to be completed. Its construction began nearly 20 years ago and stopped 14 years ago. If it were completed, it would be the 7th tallest building in the world. But it’s too expensive to finish, and even if it were, who would dare sleep in it? Sleeping in that hotel is like sleeping in a nightmare. Nevertheless, Pyongyang is the only building in the world that has made the crane that made it into a permanent fixture.
I think we've found a home for those ore unloaders!