while genericism is often the keyword for communist construction in the 20th century, it understates the ingenuity of brutalist form that sneaks out all over the formerly communist world. the modernist radicalism and fantastical surrealism of communist architects and filmmakers created blips of free expression that are overlooked by most. in the past few years, a kitschy dismissivness has begun to surround the moody atmospheres of eastern european and asian communist heritage. in one way, this is a victory over the communist system, but in another, it illuminates fundamental misunderstandings the world has about the 20th century. these designs and representations were not meant to be mere attitudes, but a fundamental alteration to the lives of their inhabitants and users. they are not just objects, but they are the fabric of interactions and function.     

 ---more to come ---