LAS VEGAS -- A striking collection of propaganda posters and assorted Soviet artifacts from the Cold War period in the USSR (1940s - 1991) will be on display at the Atomic Testing Museum here from April 4 through June 7.

"Darker Shades of Red" provides a rare opportunity to revisit the Cold War era through the exploration of the Soviet Union's official imagery. Strikingly graphic in its socialist imagery, the collection reveals the economic, social and political ideology of the Soviet Union.

When the Russian Revolution began to take shape at the end of the 19th century, religious icons were already a well-established part of daily life. Since Russia's conversion to Christianity in 988 A.D., icons were believed by both the rich and poor alike to provide access to God, like "windows into heaven."

The communist leaders recognized these images as a powerful tool, so they adapted them to create "gods" and heroes for the new world they envisioned.

From the time of the Bolshevik Revolution and after, the poster was used as a persuasive source of Soviet ideology. Leaders placed a high priority on communicating the ideas of revolution, socialism, and social responsibility to its citizenry. Posters were used to shape and direct mass consciousness in accordance with Communist Party objectives.

Symbolic images of Soviet leaders, soldiers, workers, and peasants were common heroic motifs. Images of machinery symbolized productivity in industry and farming while locomotives, sputniks and rockets suggested progress and achievement.

This patriotic information was communicated to the public through dynamic compositions that combined figures with text (often poetry) and geometric blocks of color.

Post-World War II tensions between the Soviet Union and the West led to the beginning of the Cold War era.

Fear of nuclear proliferation and anti-West sentiments were often reflected in Soviet posters during the decades that followed. Civil defense posters illustrated how to prepare for a nuclear attack. Caricatures of American and British leaders depicted the West and its political structure as the enemy of the Soviet people.

Propaganda images also filtered down in to the homes and daily lives of people. Schools, shops, factories, apartment buildings and public spaces were splashed with Soviet images.

In this closed society, there were no competing images; people were exposed only to what was seen as fulfilling the goals of the party. Common objects such as postcards and even children's books had to reinforce the Communist objectives.

By looking at these official images, we are given an insider's perspective into life in a totalitarian society.

"Darker Shades of Red" will open Saturday, April 4, and run through June 7 at the Atomic Testing Museum auditorium, 755 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas.

The Atomic Testing Museum is open seven days a week, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Last tickets are sold at 4:30 p.m., to allow time to tour the Museum.

It has ample parking and is ADA accessible. For more information please call (702) 794-5161.