11-13-2019, 08:26 PM
(Jointly written with [nation]Shuell[/nation])
Councillor Electra Georgiou had been enjoying her visit to Shuell so far. She always enjoyed being in a new country, especially one she hadn't visited before. It gave her great joy to experience new cultures, try new foods and be around new people. It was something she couldn't do much in her own country, especially with the rationing restricting their diets even further.
She had spent a while wandering around the city early on her first morning with her assortment of Kerlian and Shuellian bodyguards. She wanted to see the architecture and wouldn't take no for an answer. It had been an enjoyable experience - although, she had become cold rather quickly, despite her attempts to wear layers.
After watching a number of Kerlian athletes win medals, much to her great joy, she had received a message delivered to her hotel from the Shuellian Director of Trade, Bernd Klein. He had wished to meet her at an art museum in the city. Intrigued, she had immediately responded, accepting the invitation, and made sure she was punctual at the arranged meeting time.
As she walked into the museum, she glanced around her, and spotted the Director waiting for her. She smiled and walked over in his direction, offering her hand for him to shake.
"Director Klein, I was intrigued to receive your invitation. It is a pleasure to meet you."
He shakes her hand quickly, and firmly, smiling politely as he nodded in greeting. "The pleasure is all mine, Councilor Georgiou. I'm glad you accepted my invitation. Enjoying your time in Shuell?"
Bernd Klein was not a physically imposing man by any standards. Though a few inches taller than average, he had grown portly in his middle age, and his brown hair was beginning to thin. He did not appear to be a person that stands out in a crowd, his charcoal suit and khaki trench coat the usual fashion for Shuellians his age.
"I am indeed, Director. I very much enjoy visiting new countries. Alas, since my mother's death and assuming my position it has become... difficult. So I like to take any opportunity I can. I have been particularly impressed with the architecture here in the city," Georgiou said, nodding towards the door she had just entered.
He smiles at her statement, pleased. "Neu Shuellian has been popular - my own residence is modeled in that style, as are many others. It's quite pleasing to look at, especially compared to the Brutalist style that used to be popular." He takes a moment to polish his round glasses with a piece of fabric, before turning back to face her.
She returns a smile. "I'm glad to be able to see it in person. My people have been so cut off from the world for so long. This city is beautiful. If a little colder than I'm used to!" she shivers at the mention of the temperature, and pulls her coat a little tighter. "I expect I shall get used to it if I stay here for the whole Olympics!"
"I can't tell you how pleased I was when we got more involved in international affairs - I can empathize with your situation. As for the cold, well... you get used to it, but I do admit it's a bit chillier than normal today. That's why most of us wear these." He gestures at his coat for emphasis. "I suggest buying from DeaLuxe - there's a store nearby."
"I might well take you up on that offer," she laughed. "Did you know, I was the first daughter of a Kerlian Councillor to attend university outside the Matriarchy? It caused quite the controversy at the time. I half expected to end up in permanent exile for the audacity of leaving without my mother's permission, but in the end they decided just to drop the matter, luckily for me."
He nods knowingly. "None of my family expected me to get into politics - my mother and father expected me to be a fisherman, like they were. I didn't expect to become the Director of Trade, to be quite honest. With any luck, Shuellian students will be able to go to foreign universities soon. Regardless, shall we?" He gestures inside. "I have a lifetime pass, though I don't need to pay for entry, being a Director."
Georgiou smiled and nodded, allowing Klein to lead her. It was very un-Kerlian, if she had done it in sight of one of her own people (not counting the bodyguards, who were paid to ignore such things), they would have been horrified. Yet, she was careful to observe the customs of the countries she visited, and pushing Kerlian gender roles on foreigners tended to backfire massively.
He leads her to a closed door and presses a card to a scanner. With a quiet click it swings open, and he steps inside, to a large open hall. "The Modern Art section, while normally barren, recently got some new works." He points in a direction. "There are works from the DPRS and UKS, though quite a lot of works from the UKS were destroyed by the Party, sadly." Klein shakes his head in disappointment, clicking his tongue.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Georgiou smiles sympathetically. "I must say, I'm surprised that art from the DPRS is, well... permitted to be on display. In Kerlile there are such terrible restrictions on anything that the government considers anti-matriarchal. It is why I have such a large private collection. So, do tell me about some of these works!"
He grins. "Well, here's a secret - we only put up artwork that is anti-DPRS. Mainly White Shuellian propaganda, or apolitical works, if there are any. However, I collect most of the works that we cannot put up in the museum. It is an advantage of my position. Not many people care about art any more, sadly. The 'ideal Shuellian man' is too busy working for that." His tone saddens. "I try and push for more of an emphasis on culture and art. With any luck, the younger generations will care about it more.
"I have done the same in my own country," Georgiou sighs. "Yet there is so much pushback. Especially in budget meetings. They always prioritise everything else before it. I have had some victories, but never enough. And, believe it or not, my country has harmful gender roles too. They are just, well, reversed. It is a real shame. I try to see the daughters of my colleagues on the Council sometimes, to convince them to love art. They will be the future leaders, so they are who I must influence."
"I'm sure you know enough of Shuell to understand what we prioritize most - I understand the need, but..." He wrings his hands. "I heard you were a fan of art, which is exactly why I invited you here. It's good to find another who appreciates it, so to speak."
"I am indeed," she grinned slightly, the expression making her look slightly younger and far more eager than she ever seemed around the other Councillors. "Please, do show me the collection. I would love to hear all about Shuellian art, and I am sure you know a lot."
"Most Shuellian art nowadays can be split up into two categories: Capitalist Realism, and Kitsch Popular - Capitalist Realism took quite a lot from the art of the DPRS, being an idealized realistic style of art that glorifies our values. Don't let the name fool you, though. It's quite romanticized, especially the sculptures. Kitsch Popular was popular back in the 70s, and experienced a revival today as well. Takes mainly from popular and retro culture, especially the tacky. The corporations are fond of it because it uses their logos." Klein pauses, taking a breath. Absentmindedly, he brushes something off of his coat. "I have works in both styles in my home, among other things."
Councillor Electra Georgiou had been enjoying her visit to Shuell so far. She always enjoyed being in a new country, especially one she hadn't visited before. It gave her great joy to experience new cultures, try new foods and be around new people. It was something she couldn't do much in her own country, especially with the rationing restricting their diets even further.
She had spent a while wandering around the city early on her first morning with her assortment of Kerlian and Shuellian bodyguards. She wanted to see the architecture and wouldn't take no for an answer. It had been an enjoyable experience - although, she had become cold rather quickly, despite her attempts to wear layers.
After watching a number of Kerlian athletes win medals, much to her great joy, she had received a message delivered to her hotel from the Shuellian Director of Trade, Bernd Klein. He had wished to meet her at an art museum in the city. Intrigued, she had immediately responded, accepting the invitation, and made sure she was punctual at the arranged meeting time.
As she walked into the museum, she glanced around her, and spotted the Director waiting for her. She smiled and walked over in his direction, offering her hand for him to shake.
"Director Klein, I was intrigued to receive your invitation. It is a pleasure to meet you."
He shakes her hand quickly, and firmly, smiling politely as he nodded in greeting. "The pleasure is all mine, Councilor Georgiou. I'm glad you accepted my invitation. Enjoying your time in Shuell?"
Bernd Klein was not a physically imposing man by any standards. Though a few inches taller than average, he had grown portly in his middle age, and his brown hair was beginning to thin. He did not appear to be a person that stands out in a crowd, his charcoal suit and khaki trench coat the usual fashion for Shuellians his age.
"I am indeed, Director. I very much enjoy visiting new countries. Alas, since my mother's death and assuming my position it has become... difficult. So I like to take any opportunity I can. I have been particularly impressed with the architecture here in the city," Georgiou said, nodding towards the door she had just entered.
He smiles at her statement, pleased. "Neu Shuellian has been popular - my own residence is modeled in that style, as are many others. It's quite pleasing to look at, especially compared to the Brutalist style that used to be popular." He takes a moment to polish his round glasses with a piece of fabric, before turning back to face her.
She returns a smile. "I'm glad to be able to see it in person. My people have been so cut off from the world for so long. This city is beautiful. If a little colder than I'm used to!" she shivers at the mention of the temperature, and pulls her coat a little tighter. "I expect I shall get used to it if I stay here for the whole Olympics!"
"I can't tell you how pleased I was when we got more involved in international affairs - I can empathize with your situation. As for the cold, well... you get used to it, but I do admit it's a bit chillier than normal today. That's why most of us wear these." He gestures at his coat for emphasis. "I suggest buying from DeaLuxe - there's a store nearby."
"I might well take you up on that offer," she laughed. "Did you know, I was the first daughter of a Kerlian Councillor to attend university outside the Matriarchy? It caused quite the controversy at the time. I half expected to end up in permanent exile for the audacity of leaving without my mother's permission, but in the end they decided just to drop the matter, luckily for me."
He nods knowingly. "None of my family expected me to get into politics - my mother and father expected me to be a fisherman, like they were. I didn't expect to become the Director of Trade, to be quite honest. With any luck, Shuellian students will be able to go to foreign universities soon. Regardless, shall we?" He gestures inside. "I have a lifetime pass, though I don't need to pay for entry, being a Director."
Georgiou smiled and nodded, allowing Klein to lead her. It was very un-Kerlian, if she had done it in sight of one of her own people (not counting the bodyguards, who were paid to ignore such things), they would have been horrified. Yet, she was careful to observe the customs of the countries she visited, and pushing Kerlian gender roles on foreigners tended to backfire massively.
He leads her to a closed door and presses a card to a scanner. With a quiet click it swings open, and he steps inside, to a large open hall. "The Modern Art section, while normally barren, recently got some new works." He points in a direction. "There are works from the DPRS and UKS, though quite a lot of works from the UKS were destroyed by the Party, sadly." Klein shakes his head in disappointment, clicking his tongue.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Georgiou smiles sympathetically. "I must say, I'm surprised that art from the DPRS is, well... permitted to be on display. In Kerlile there are such terrible restrictions on anything that the government considers anti-matriarchal. It is why I have such a large private collection. So, do tell me about some of these works!"
He grins. "Well, here's a secret - we only put up artwork that is anti-DPRS. Mainly White Shuellian propaganda, or apolitical works, if there are any. However, I collect most of the works that we cannot put up in the museum. It is an advantage of my position. Not many people care about art any more, sadly. The 'ideal Shuellian man' is too busy working for that." His tone saddens. "I try and push for more of an emphasis on culture and art. With any luck, the younger generations will care about it more.
"I have done the same in my own country," Georgiou sighs. "Yet there is so much pushback. Especially in budget meetings. They always prioritise everything else before it. I have had some victories, but never enough. And, believe it or not, my country has harmful gender roles too. They are just, well, reversed. It is a real shame. I try to see the daughters of my colleagues on the Council sometimes, to convince them to love art. They will be the future leaders, so they are who I must influence."
"I'm sure you know enough of Shuell to understand what we prioritize most - I understand the need, but..." He wrings his hands. "I heard you were a fan of art, which is exactly why I invited you here. It's good to find another who appreciates it, so to speak."
"I am indeed," she grinned slightly, the expression making her look slightly younger and far more eager than she ever seemed around the other Councillors. "Please, do show me the collection. I would love to hear all about Shuellian art, and I am sure you know a lot."
"Most Shuellian art nowadays can be split up into two categories: Capitalist Realism, and Kitsch Popular - Capitalist Realism took quite a lot from the art of the DPRS, being an idealized realistic style of art that glorifies our values. Don't let the name fool you, though. It's quite romanticized, especially the sculptures. Kitsch Popular was popular back in the 70s, and experienced a revival today as well. Takes mainly from popular and retro culture, especially the tacky. The corporations are fond of it because it uses their logos." Klein pauses, taking a breath. Absentmindedly, he brushes something off of his coat. "I have works in both styles in my home, among other things."
LIDUN President 2024 | she/her | Puppets: Kerlile, Glanainn, Yesteria, Zongongia, Zargothrax