Soviet Space Propaganda (1958-1960s)
As I have been unpacking after my move, I discovered a beautiful book of old, Soviet stamps that my father’s friend brought back for me from a trip to the USSR. As a boy, I adored their bright colors and gloriously strong images of handsome adventurers, even though I was typically much more interested in happenings on earth than in space.
Now, I see that what was appealing to me was the homoerotic potential of a world of strong, beautiful men, going boldly into the new frontier. I have often thought that I would like to write something about the queerness of space within the mid-century imagination.
