Conversation "The Rise of the Russian Avant-Garde" with Curator Sarah Suzuki Fell Flat

The conversation in tandem with the MoMA's fascinating show "A Revolutionary Impulse" The Rise of the Russian Avant-Garde" piqued my interest in hopes of enhancing my appreciation for this exhibit.  Sadly, Sarah Suzuki, Curator, Dept Drawings & Prints, did little to enlighten me on Russian's revolutionary history 1912-1935.   Nor did she spark my enthusiasm for the artists or artistic developments during this epoch.  I'd visited the exhibit prior to the "conversation."  I'd found the show both stimulating & distrubing; reflective of a very turburlen history.  I was intrigued to learn more of  the unprecedented sociopolitical transformations that commenced with a liberating, egalitarian revolt that was short lived.  This year is the 100th annv of the Russian Revolution & the abdication of Nicholas II (a.k.a. the execution of the Czar & his family.) Civil unrest & uprising erupted from massive food shortages & famine.  The not so peaceful transference of power from a Royal oligarchy to the general population didn't portend an egalitarian society.  Shortly, the Bolsheiks, under the dictatorship of Vladimir Lenin resulted in an oppressive Marxist state.  While Suzuki is not an art historian, it was afoul not to assimilate clearly the connections between the artworks (paintings, poetry, photography, technology & architectual plans) with momumental changes within the Soviet Union.  The discussion led by Suzuki lasted only 30 minutes and then opened to questions.  I learned that Alfred Barr at age 27 travelled to Russia in 1912 where he met many prominent artists, writers & performers.  He was responsible for purchasing the vast majority of artifacts prior to the Russian Revolution and then again in 1936 which accounts for the extensive, preserved collection.  According to Ms Suzuki, the MoMA, outside of Russia, possesses the most comprehensive collection of Russia's artworks from 1912-1935.  The exhibit is an impressive collection but the conversation pertaining to the show did little to enlighten its impactful significance.