Communist ice cream

Plac na Rozdrożu, on Al. Ujazdowskie. State-owned ice cream stand, dating back to the 1960s or '70s, from the look of it. Note: a) the bas-relief frieze at the top; 11 happy diners leaning over their plates, hammered out of sheet aluminium (click to enlarge). The work of some state-sponsored student, no doubt. Interesting visually. But note b) how it jars with the simple word 'LODY' ('ice cream') in a stencil-like font, flanked by yellow, purple and blue circles visually representing said ice cream. Note c) the green-painted grill, to stop smash'n'grab artists from nicking the lollies.

So we're back in communist days, except for the cars in the background, a plethora of Peugeots, BMWs, Mazdas, Fords and Mitsubishis when 25 years ago, you'd have been lucky to have seen a handful of Polski Fiats parked here.

Does the State have any business selling ice cream?

UPDATE, SUMMER 2009: It's gone. Knocked down as Al. Ujazdowskie were being given a major facelift. History, man.