Comments on: The reinvention of relics of communism http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/ A research weblog and collection of resources Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:17:07 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: I'm back and 'Stasiland': a review « Cogs and Wheels: The material culture of revolutionary China http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-129 I'm back and 'Stasiland': a review « Cogs and Wheels: The material culture of revolutionary China Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:59:11 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-129 [...] copy of Anna Funder’s Stasiland: Stories From Behind the Berlin Wall, as recommended to me by Mary.  It was great - obviously it’s a personal account/reflection on post-1989 Berlin and the [...] [...] copy of Anna Funder’s Stasiland: Stories From Behind the Berlin Wall, as recommended to me by Mary.  It was great – obviously it’s a personal account/reflection on post-1989 Berlin and the [...]

]]> By: amyjaneb http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-77 amyjaneb Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:03:06 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-77 Well no, they are not historical documents in the sense that they present a selection of personal experiences rather than a fact-based discussion(whatever 'facts' are, personally I subscribe to the notion that all 'facts' - so-called scientific or otherwise - are interpretations, which can be continually revised and reevaluated), but they can have an impact on the way in which historical events are interpreted and imagined, and that is what I am interested in and why they are valuable to my research. For example, a large proportion of western readers may have only 'experienced' the Chinese Cultural Revolution through Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans'. Even though it is not an official history of that momentous and terrible decade in Chinese history, it has had more impact and influence on popular imaginings than any dry, academic study one could mention. (To be honest, I'm very doubtful of the truthfulness of 'official' records too.) Well no, they are not historical documents in the sense that they present a selection of personal experiences rather than a fact-based discussion(whatever ‘facts’ are, personally I subscribe to the notion that all ‘facts’ – so-called scientific or otherwise – are interpretations, which can be continually revised and reevaluated), but they can have an impact on the way in which historical events are interpreted and imagined, and that is what I am interested in and why they are valuable to my research. For example, a large proportion of western readers may have only ‘experienced’ the Chinese Cultural Revolution through Jung Chang’s ‘Wild Swans’. Even though it is not an official history of that momentous and terrible decade in Chinese history, it has had more impact and influence on popular imaginings than any dry, academic study one could mention. (To be honest, I’m very doubtful of the truthfulness of ‘official’ records too.)

]]> By: Henry http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-73 Henry Sun, 08 Apr 2007 17:49:53 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-73 Novels such as "Stasiland" are NOT historical doccumnets or scientific papers. After 15 years of leading the comission for investigation of the Stasi, German liberal politician and member of parliamnet Marianne Birthler says that " The GDR was not a people of spies and traitors. Less than one percent of the population spied on and reported others." Perhaps not only David Irving deserves a sentence for "deliberate and malicious falsification of history." How about Anthony Bevor and Robert Conquest? And why is no-one listening to Soltsynetzscyn anymore? Novels such as “Stasiland” are NOT historical doccumnets or scientific papers.
After 15 years of leading the comission for investigation of the Stasi, German liberal politician and member of parliamnet Marianne Birthler says that ” The GDR was not a people of spies and traitors. Less than one percent of the population spied on and reported others.”
Perhaps not only David Irving deserves a sentence for “deliberate and malicious falsification of history.” How about Anthony Bevor and Robert Conquest? And why is no-one listening to Soltsynetzscyn anymore?

]]> By: Is Communism Good for the Arts? « Cogs and Wheels: The material culture of revolutionary China http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-18 Is Communism Good for the Arts? « Cogs and Wheels: The material culture of revolutionary China Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:09:54 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-18 [...] That ties in very well with the paper I referred to the other day in my discussion with Mary about communist relics, which discusses the sensual recollection of socialism facilitated by the Grutas Sculptural Park [...] [...] That ties in very well with the paper I referred to the other day in my discussion with Mary about communist relics, which discusses the sensual recollection of socialism facilitated by the Grutas Sculptural Park [...]

]]> By: Chinese Lessons « Cogs and Wheels: The material culture of revolutionary China http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-16 Chinese Lessons « Cogs and Wheels: The material culture of revolutionary China Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:11:24 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-16 [...] things behind it.  I like the idea Mary came up with in her comment on my recent post about the reinvention of relics of communism that these seemingly trivial things are seized upon as a way of blocking out the more negative [...] [...] things behind it.  I like the idea Mary came up with in her comment on my recent post about the reinvention of relics of communism that these seemingly trivial things are seized upon as a way of blocking out the more negative [...]

]]> By: amyjaneb http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-15 amyjaneb Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:08:18 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-15 Note to self: Hevia article = 'Loot's Fate: The economy of plunder and the moral life of objects "From the Summer Palace of the Emperor of China." Note to self: Hevia article = ‘Loot’s Fate: The economy of plunder and the moral life of objects “From the Summer Palace of the Emperor of China.”

]]> By: amyjaneb http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-14 amyjaneb Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:02:50 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-14 Ah! I've got a feel that that's the conclusion Lankauskas comes to too. Will check it out... Thanks. Re, Hitler's Bunker, it's interesting that, while it's still far too contentious and problematic a site to do something interpretive with, it has survived. Highlights the conflicting emotions associated with these kinds of places and the tension between a kind of 'detached', objective assessment (i.e. as a site of historical significance) and an emotional response. Does that make sense? Probably not - seriously woolly brain tonight. I know what I mean. ;) Ah! I’ve got a feel that that’s the conclusion Lankauskas comes to too. Will check it out… Thanks.

Re, Hitler’s Bunker, it’s interesting that, while it’s still far too contentious and problematic a site to do something interpretive with, it has survived. Highlights the conflicting emotions associated with these kinds of places and the tension between a kind of ‘detached’, objective assessment (i.e. as a site of historical significance) and an emotional response. Does that make sense? Probably not – seriously woolly brain tonight. I know what I mean. ;)

]]> By: Mary http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-13 Mary Sun, 25 Feb 2007 18:40:03 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-13 Maybe the simulacrum (the Soviet-era menu, the cultural revolution themed restaurant) acts as a kind of 'screen memory' (generally I don't like the Freudian terminology, but I can't think of another way to put this), substituting a favoured part for the whole? So nasty pickles and bad sausages, or whatever, are oddly what enables people to 'forget' on some level? I think the time lag point is very true. I recently read about the plans for Hitler's bunker - should it be a museum, should it rased etc. - (maybe that was in 'Stasiland' too). Apparently the mayor of Berlin took the sound decision that the people of Berlin weren't yet ready to decide and has kept it covered over, for now. Maybe the simulacrum (the Soviet-era menu, the cultural revolution themed restaurant) acts as a kind of ’screen memory’ (generally I don’t like the Freudian terminology, but I can’t think of another way to put this), substituting a favoured part for the whole? So nasty pickles and bad sausages, or whatever, are oddly what enables people to ‘forget’ on some level?

I think the time lag point is very true. I recently read about the plans for Hitler’s bunker – should it be a museum, should it rased etc. – (maybe that was in ‘Stasiland’ too). Apparently the mayor of Berlin took the sound decision that the people of Berlin weren’t yet ready to decide and has kept it covered over, for now.

]]> By: amyjaneb http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-12 amyjaneb Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:12:24 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-12 Oh, and of course the other function museums have, which is key to this argument, is to valorise (is that the right word?) objects. By placing something in a museum we are saying this is culturally and historically important, this is something we should treasure/preserve. And this makes relics of 'dark' history highly problematic. I'm going to have to write a proper post about this sometime. ;) (And work at improving my spelling!) Oh, and of course the other function museums have, which is key to this argument, is to valorise (is that the right word?) objects. By placing something in a museum we are saying this is culturally and historically important, this is something we should treasure/preserve. And this makes relics of ‘dark’ history highly problematic.

I’m going to have to write a proper post about this sometime. ;) (And work at improving my spelling!)

]]> By: amyjaneb http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-11 amyjaneb Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:01:46 +0000 http://cogsandwheels.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/the-reinvention-of-relics-of-communism/#comment-11 Hi Mary. Thanks for your input. I haven't come across the book you mention, will have to track that one down. It sounds really good. I'm coming at the whole European communism thing as an interested amateur really. And how it contextualises the contemporary situation in China vis-a-vis the Cultural Revolution. So, I've probably just sketched over a lot of the issues here - and like you say, the situation in Germany is less than clear cut. The legacy of communism and how people are dealing with it is much more complex, of course. Your comment about the need for authenticity is key. Places like the Stasi HQ provide that. They have a memorialising effect, whereas museums have a similar but slightly different function. For many they are the places where things go when they are dead, just like Funder says. But I would argue that actually objects in museums are still alive, and that's the point. They're still in cultural 'circulation'. Memorialised sites like the Stasi HQ, or Chcekpoint Charlie or even somewhere like Orford Ness in Suffolk (which is slightly different, but it's essentially a Cold War site), are - in contrast - fading. and crucially it allows people to contain the emotions and experiences connected to the past they relate to, while outside that space moving on and 'forgetting'. But, I suppose what this is all says is that, in many ways, for people living in ex-communist nations, communism is fading, but still powerful. And it will be while it is within living memory. And this was just the point made at the recent Heritage of the Recent Past colloquium at the University of Leicester. A time-lag between something happening and it being 'museumified' is psychologically necessary: we need that sense of dislocation from an event in order to be able to consider it from an objective perspective, to reveal the 'truth', something which, culturally, we look towards museums to provide. And, I guess, for many people in contemporary 'east' Germany and other ex-communist countries, the years of communism are still very raw and affecting. A visit to a museum of communism would not be a pleasurable experience. Unless of course you are so young, or so removed from that legacy (i.e. those who have not lived under those circumstances) to be unable to empathise or assimilate the experiences that the artefacts on display embody. Hence my belief that many of these institutions have been developed as much to meet the requirements of tourists, as to ensure the preservation of these important records of life under the regime for the future. However, there are loads of conflicting impulses at play. I'm reminded of an article by Gediminas Lankauskas, 'Sensuous (Re)Collections', in which he describes how older people are attracted to the Grutas Sculpture Park in Lithuania (a privately-run 'museum' of statuary and monuments dating from the communist era set in parkland) by nostalgia for the Soviet-era inspired menu available at the cafe. Human beings have selective memories, which is why you got the pro-Russia supporters clashing with Yushchenko's followers during Ukraine's Orange Revolution and why Cultural Revolution themed restaurants are opening in China. And that's the ultimate (sometimes problematic) value of museums - however heard we try, they won't let us forget. Hi Mary. Thanks for your input. I haven’t come across the book you mention, will have to track that one down. It sounds really good. I’m coming at the whole European communism thing as an interested amateur really. And how it contextualises the contemporary situation in China vis-a-vis the Cultural Revolution. So, I’ve probably just sketched over a lot of the issues here – and like you say, the situation in Germany is less than clear cut. The legacy of communism and how people are dealing with it is much more complex, of course. Your comment about the need for authenticity is key. Places like the Stasi HQ provide that. They have a memorialising effect, whereas museums have a similar but slightly different function. For many they are the places where things go when they are dead, just like Funder says. But I would argue that actually objects in museums are still alive, and that’s the point. They’re still in cultural ‘circulation’. Memorialised sites like the Stasi HQ, or Chcekpoint Charlie or even somewhere like Orford Ness in Suffolk (which is slightly different, but it’s essentially a Cold War site), are – in contrast – fading. and crucially it allows people to contain the emotions and experiences connected to the past they relate to, while outside that space moving on and ‘forgetting’.

But, I suppose what this is all says is that, in many ways, for people living in ex-communist nations, communism is fading, but still powerful. And it will be while it is within living memory. And this was just the point made at the recent Heritage of the Recent Past colloquium at the University of Leicester. A time-lag between something happening and it being ‘museumified’ is psychologically necessary: we need that sense of dislocation from an event in order to be able to consider it from an objective perspective, to reveal the ‘truth’, something which, culturally, we look towards museums to provide. And, I guess, for many people in contemporary ‘east’ Germany and other ex-communist countries, the years of communism are still very raw and affecting. A visit to a museum of communism would not be a pleasurable experience. Unless of course you are so young, or so removed from that legacy (i.e. those who have not lived under those circumstances) to be unable to empathise or assimilate the experiences that the artefacts on display embody. Hence my belief that many of these institutions have been developed as much to meet the requirements of tourists, as to ensure the preservation of these important records of life under the regime for the future.

However, there are loads of conflicting impulses at play. I’m reminded of an article by Gediminas Lankauskas, ‘Sensuous (Re)Collections’, in which he describes how older people are attracted to the Grutas Sculpture Park in Lithuania (a privately-run ‘museum’ of statuary and monuments dating from the communist era set in parkland) by nostalgia for the Soviet-era inspired menu available at the cafe. Human beings have selective memories, which is why you got the pro-Russia supporters clashing with Yushchenko’s followers during Ukraine’s Orange Revolution and why Cultural Revolution themed restaurants are opening in China. And that’s the ultimate (sometimes problematic) value of museums – however heard we try, they won’t let us forget.

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