A couple of weeks ago I told you about the Chopsticks Museum in Shanghai, China. Like I said before, the city has 120 recognized private collections; the 5000 propaganda posters located in some dude’s basement is probably one of the most random. Well, actually that’s not true as we’re talking about the People’s Republic of China…there’s a Communist Party Museum on the other side of town. Anyway, the Propaganda Museum’s owner, Mr. Yang Pei Ming, began collecting the posters as a hobby, but now he hopes to preserve them for the future. Many date from the Maoist period, 1949-1979, specifically from the later Cultural Revolution.
The posters range from peaceful visions of life in a model socialist society (which we all know wasn’t true) to fierce battles against China’s enemies. Another exhibit space focuses on denouncement posters written by ordinary Chinese citizens in the form of calligraphy and posted during the post-revolution era. Even though this place is listed in tour guides, let’s remember that it is located in an apartment building. But you’re in luck if you find it as the labels are written in English and Socialist memorabilia is available for purchase in the gift shop. Take home a Mao Utopian poster or a propaganda comic book and make all your friends jealous! Well, except the ones who think Barack Obama is an evil commie.
