Updating socialist realism

Back in the dark days of the Soviet Union, realism was the only artistic genre encouraged by the regime, and Nikita Khruschev famously disparaged abstract art during exhibitions of Soviet artists. Which is why this post in Peter Smith's Bike Blog made me laugh.

Socialist Realism is back, revived by the city's bike people! That isn't really surprising, given the political zeal of the bike people, who also see themselves as an oppressed class. (Cyclists of the world, rise up! You have nothing to lose but your bike chains!) Whereas Soviet artists could face actual economic and political penalties from the Soviet regime, the bike artists in SF are voluntarily embracing the politically motivated, philistine genre, though adding decorative touches to representations of their primary fetish that wouldn't have passed muster even in the workers paradise in days of yore.

More Bike Art here.

Amsterdam builds new parking lots

"Under the plan announced Saturday, Amsterdam will spend euro30 million to euro40 million ($38 million to $51 million) to bring hotels, restaurants, art galleries and boutiques to the center. It will also build new underground parking areas."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/06/international/i011518S52.DTL&tsp=1