Constructivism

Alexander Rodchenko - Constructivist graphic design 

Constructivism is a Russian movement to which brought together various prominent architects, designers and artists. Before the first world war the Russian avante grade drew inspiration from cubism and futurism as did their European equals. 

After the 1917 revolution the Russian avant grade wanted new and fresh way to express themselves a way which would coincide with the Soviet urge to suppress the capitalist/ corrupt system which was failing it’s people and trade it with a democratic system. They wanted a movement to match society’s new lease on life, one which could change lives in itself. For this fresh start to take place various artists such as Vladimir Tatlin, Kasimir Malevich, Alexander Rodchenko and Wassily Kandinsky and El Lissitsky started to advocate a style which was more about aesthetic quality but that also went hand in hand with industrial production.

Constructivist Manifesto

The constructivists went on to publish two manifestos both in the same year (1920). As a group they believed that different sectors of art could bring about social change or order amongst the people this led them to take on useful productions and projects. Although their beliefs were strong and they wanted change badly the constructivists were around at a very difficult time as the post revolution economy and political status was one which was very unstable. This in turn meant not many large projects could be carried out and as a movement they ended up being confined to specific areas such as exhibition design, ceramics and graphic design. In spite of all this the constructivists manage to get their message across nonetheless.

Tatlin's Tower - Model

Tatlin's Tower is easily Vladimir Tatlin's most famous work and also the most prominent catalyst towards the formation of the Constructivists. The tower was supposed to house conferences and be a propaganda centre for the Communist Third International, but as a project was never fully taken on. It was meant to be made up of a steel frame which would rise 1,300 feet high, this would have made it the tallest free standing structure at the time. In the eyes of a constructivist the structure would surpass the Eiffel tower not only in height but also in beauty and this was mainly due to the structure having a purpose. The steel structure was to comprise of three glass units and several other shapes including a cube, a cylinder and a cone which were all aesthetic characteristics of this movement. Tatlin viewed glass and steel as the fundamental building material for modern architecture and construction.

Referencing:

. 2015. . [ONLINE] Available at: http://img.weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/factory_kitchen_1.jpg. [Accessed 23 January 2015].

Lost Art: Vladimir Tatlin | Tate. 2015. Lost Art: Vladimir Tatlin | Tate. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/articles/lost-art-vladimir-tatlin. [Accessed 23 January 2015].