Comments on: Stasi spywear: the inept art of commie disguise http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 13:03:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Robert http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1187170 Robert Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1187170 The article says that the artist was allowed to "reproduce" the photos. As written, it could be taken that the artist recreated and rephotographed the scenes, and then hung them alongside a body of other genuine pictures from the time. The article says that the artist was allowed to “reproduce” the photos.

As written, it could be taken that the artist recreated and rephotographed the scenes, and then hung them alongside a body of other genuine pictures from the time.

]]> By: JoshP http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1187123 JoshP Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1187123   As hilarious as candid East German secret police snap shots are and always will be, if you read books like Tim Weiner's Legacy of Ashes you get the impression that the stasi, NKVD, etc actually had their duckies pointing in the proper direction.  While our spooks may have looked liked Robert Redford, we usually got fed our intel from some second floor office with a nice view over Red Square.  Just saying, and how many muskrats has the fall of Soviet Communism saved??  Fur is murder, comrade.  Sheeesh.   As hilarious as candid East German secret police snap shots are and always will be, if you read books like Tim Weiner’s Legacy of Ashes you get the impression that the stasi, NKVD, etc actually had their duckies pointing in the proper direction.  While our spooks may have looked liked Robert Redford, we usually got fed our intel from some second floor office with a nice view over Red Square.  Just saying, and how many muskrats has the fall of Soviet Communism saved??  Fur is murder, comrade.  Sheeesh.

]]> By: willyboy http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1187082 willyboy Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1187082 In America, art make you. In America, art make you.

]]> By: echolocate chocolate http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186908 echolocate chocolate Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186908 #7 is Tim from Braid. #7 is Tim from Braid.

]]> By: Gyrofrog http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186901 Gyrofrog Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186901 Looking at 4 and 5: man, and I thought I had small feet. I suddenly feel better about myself! Thanx Looking at 4 and 5: man, and I thought I had small feet. I suddenly feel better about myself! Thanx

]]> By: kmoser http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186820 kmoser Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186820 Really? May I see your papers, please? Really? May I see your papers, please?

]]> By: C W http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186765 C W Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186765 Yes? That's the point. Yes? That’s the point.

]]> By: VibroCount http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186727 VibroCount Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186727 Have you seen Moose and Squirrel? Have you seen Moose and Squirrel?

]]> By: HenryPootel http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186713 HenryPootel Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186713 Und now, Evefenink Vear Und now, Evefenink Vear

]]> By: 秀平 月 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186706 秀平 月 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186706 Your (hilariously incorrect) German literally translates to "I am crushed your head" which is awesome in and of itself. Your (hilariously incorrect) German literally translates to “I am crushed your head” which is awesome in and of itself.

]]> By: Kyle Reynolds Conway http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186688 Kyle Reynolds Conway Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186688 Somebody needs to write a play based on this one guy in these various disguises. It can't go wrong. Gold. Comedy gold. Somebody needs to write a play based on this one guy in these various disguises. It can’t go wrong. Gold. Comedy gold.

]]> By: SedanChair http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186685 SedanChair Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186685 It's all very well to make fun of the Stasi now that there's absolutely no chance of them coming for your ass. It’s all very well to make fun of the Stasi now that there’s absolutely no chance of them coming for your ass.

]]> By: Aaron Russell http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186670 Aaron Russell Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186670 Coming from Austin, Texas, I would say that these outfits DO look normal to hipsters here and now. Coming from Austin, Texas, I would say that these outfits DO look normal to hipsters here and now.

]]> By: MooseDesign http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186647 MooseDesign Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186647 Every minute you don't tell us why you are here, I cut off a finger. Mine or yours? Yours. Damn!  Every minute you don’t tell us why you are here, I cut off a finger. Mine or yours? Yours. Damn! 

]]> By: hairfool http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186646 hairfool Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186646 The photos reminded me of the Butterfield Detective Agency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhgdRiD7R1k The photos reminded me of the Butterfield Detective Agency

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhgdRiD7R1k

]]> By: Mister44 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186639 Mister44 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186639 O.M.G. #3 is none other than Stuart Smalley. "I'm going to do a terrific job today! And I'm gonna spy people! Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, if people don't like me, I'll shoot them in the face." O.M.G. #3 is none other than Stuart Smalley.

“I’m going to do a terrific job today! And I’m gonna spy people!
Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, if people don’t like me, I’ll shoot them in the face.”

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186628 Guest Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186628 Maybe the love child of Dr. Strangelove and Bill Murray? Maybe the love child of Dr. Strangelove and Bill Murray?

]]> By: Katrina van Malksvig http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186617 Katrina van Malksvig Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186617 As a former East German army officer, I noticed that a bunch of things in the second disguise (East German army uniform) are wrong. Which leads me to believe those pictures are a spoof. As a former East German army officer, I noticed that a bunch of things in the second disguise (East German army uniform) are wrong.
Which leads me to believe those pictures are a spoof.

]]> By: Church http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186610 Church Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186610 Yeah, there's disguise (like a plainclothes officer in jeans) and then there's disguise (like a riot cop wearing a baclava.) This seems to be more of the latter. Yeah, there’s disguise (like a plainclothes officer in jeans) and then there’s disguise (like a riot cop wearing a baclava.) This seems to be more of the latter.

]]> By: Maurice Reeves http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186592 Maurice Reeves Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186592 Ich bin zerquetscht deinen Kopf is a loose translation.  If you'd like to see it in action, may I present this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1UctSrT6Lk Ich bin zerquetscht deinen Kopf is a loose translation.  If you’d like to see it in action, may I present this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1UctSrT6Lk

]]> By: dav von TRI http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186583 dav von TRI Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186583 Ivan Ivanovitch, is jealous. i mean look at that coat, style. Ivan Ivanovitch, is jealous. i mean look at that coat, style.

]]> By: Cunning http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186579 Cunning Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186579 Also, the 4" baseboard in photos 4 through 7 are poorly disguised as 6" baseboard.  Also, the 4″ baseboard in photos 4 through 7 are poorly disguised as 6″ baseboard. 

]]> By: Art http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186568 Art Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186568 I was there that night. I was there that night.

]]> By: mattatlaw http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186562 mattatlaw Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186562 You are seeing the hat and coat, not the person wearing them. That's the point. He's making it difficult for people to remember what he looks like. So that when when he shoots a political dissident in the middle of a crowded street, the witnesses will only remember the tacky clothing. The guys who whacked Paul Castellano in front of Sparks Steakhouse used this exact technique, wearing cassock fur hats and trench-coats. You are seeing the hat and coat, not the person wearing them. That’s the point. He’s making it difficult for people to remember what he looks like. So that when when he shoots a political dissident in the middle of a crowded street, the witnesses will only remember the tacky clothing.

The guys who whacked Paul Castellano in front of Sparks Steakhouse used this exact technique, wearing cassock fur hats and trench-coats.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186556 Brainspore Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186556 <blockquote>The point of camouflage is to blend in with the prevailing conditions. We're talking about Soviet Europe in the '80s.</blockquote> Yeah, but the dude in that photo was assigned to infiltrate a middle-school swim team.

The point of camouflage is to blend in with the prevailing conditions. We’re talking about Soviet Europe in the ’80s.

Yeah, but the dude in that photo was assigned to infiltrate a middle-school swim team.

]]> By: ernunnos http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186554 ernunnos Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186554 The point of camouflage is to blend in with the prevailing conditions. We're talking about Soviet Europe in the '80s. It's not supposed to look normal to hipsters a culture and a quarter century away. It would have been a total failure if it had. My wife was an exchange student in a Soviet-bordering nation in that time period, and got to visit Russia. I've seen the snapshots. Disguise 6? Genius, at least for that time & place. The point of camouflage is to blend in with the prevailing conditions. We’re talking about Soviet Europe in the ’80s. It’s not supposed to look normal to hipsters a culture and a quarter century away. It would have been a total failure if it had. My wife was an exchange student in a Soviet-bordering nation in that time period, and got to visit Russia. I’ve seen the snapshots. Disguise 6? Genius, at least for that time & place.

]]> By: irksome http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186551 irksome Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186551 "Please for to be not observing your observation yes?" “Please for to be not observing your observation yes?”

]]> By: SamSam http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186549 SamSam Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186549 You know, the sunglasses here may not have actually been part of the disguise. It may have been actually to protect the identity of the man in the photos from other spies or viewers of the photos. This seems pretty clear once you get to the last photo, where he isn't wearing glasses but his face is blurred out. Wait.... except.... why is his face blurred out using modern digital techniques? Did the current German government censor these photos so that even today you couldn't discover that this person was a member of the Stazi? You know, the sunglasses here may not have actually been part of the disguise. It may have been actually to protect the identity of the man in the photos from other spies or viewers of the photos.

This seems pretty clear once you get to the last photo, where he isn’t wearing glasses but his face is blurred out.

Wait…. except…. why is his face blurred out using modern digital techniques? Did the current German government censor these photos so that even today you couldn’t discover that this person was a member of the Stazi?

]]> By: Rich Keller http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186538 Rich Keller Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186538 When I looked at the slideshow of these pictures on another news site yesterday, I kept thinking that these looked like stills from Kids in the Hall episodes. What is German for "I'm crushing your head"? When I looked at the slideshow of these pictures on another news site yesterday, I kept thinking that these looked like stills from Kids in the Hall episodes. What is German for “I’m crushing your head”?

]]> By: satn http://boingboing.net/2011/08/12/stasi-spywear-the-inept-art-of-commie-disguise.html#comment-1186533 satn Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113109#comment-1186533 If these were taken in the 80s, popped collars were normal. So would wearing that coat and hat in a soviet influenced area. If these were taken in the 80s, popped collars were normal.

So would wearing that coat and hat in a soviet influenced area.

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