![Atop Empire State- in construction; Chrysler Bldg & [Daily] News in middle foreground. (1931)](http://cdn1.retronaut.co/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Atop-Empire-State-in-construction-Chrysler-Bldg-Daily-News-in-middle-foreground.-1931--199x123.jpg "Balancing on the Empire State, 1920s")
‘John Heartfield (1891–1968) is the anglicized name of the German photomontage artist Helmut Herzfeld. Heartfield developed photomontage into a form of political and artistic expression. His photomontages satirising Adolf Hitler and the Nazis often subverted Nazi symbols such as the swastika in order to undermine their propaganda message.’
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Thank you to Todo Pipas, Smabs Sputer and Kurositas
Not seen or heard of this work before. But I recognise image#9. Rear cover Mind Bomb LP by The The.
Some of those look like they could have inspired Terry Gilliam’s work.
There is a wonderful collection of his covers for the German magazine AIZ at the Tate Modern in London.
Another great photomontage artist from the time was Hannah Hoch. A lot of dadaists at least dabbled in it, but Heartfield and Hoch were the best. More recent photomontage artists include Johann Humanbeing, who did work in Anarchy magaizine, and “Winston Smith,” who did work featured in Dead Kennedys records.
This is a great art form that has become “obsolete” now that we have photoshop. But collages made with actual physical pictures glued together have more soul and power. Oh well.
Also the body draped swastika was used for the cover of Mussolini Headkick’s “Themes for Violent Retribution”