selected images oder farbe für die republik

There is a cheerful exhibit of everyday examples, not of propa- ganda—but rather of putting ones best foot forward of images of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) on display in Berlin, captured by a pair of freelance photographers, who found themselves sponsored not only by the patronage of businesses and catalog and cookbook publishers but also by the State, in order to promote optimism and efficiency. The documentation, in some instances, departed somewhat from reality, like showing a happy couple enjoying a repast of herring and pineapple cooked on a table-top grill with red wine. The exhibition seems to be an interesting if unintentional commentary on make-believe and GDR-chic.