Constructivisim

Constructivism is the art produced to reflect the new ideals of the Russian Revolution of 1917. It emerged after the Revolution and aimed at supporting the establishment of a communist society. Russian architect Vladimir Tatlin launched the constructivist movement when he proposed the futuristic, glass and steel Tatlin’s Tower which was very ambitious in concept.

Vladimir Tatlin’s training in art bean whilst working as a merchant seaman. He was influenced by the Primitivism of the Rayonist Larionov such as the example of Winter from the Seasons of 1912. However Constructivism owes much to Vladimir Tatlin’s visit to Paris in 1914. There he met Picasso and was exposed to Cubism in works such as the still life with guitar of late 1913. Tatlin translated Picasso’s Cubism into sculptural objects using materials used by workers.

Two other important constructivists’ artists were Alexander Rodchenko and El Lissitzky. Both were influenced by Malevich’s Suprematism. For them it was not ‘Art not for art’s sake’ but ‘Art for art sake’. They therefore created useful objects such as posters, film titles/sets, magazine and book covers, multi-purpose furniture and workers club interiors.

Today, Constructivism is still being used especially in graphic design. 

Album Cover fro Franz Ferdinand which is clearly an imitation of the infamous shouting woman posters from the Constructivism era.

Graphic Design poster based on Star Wars but in the style of Constructivism.

References:

• Magic Web, N/A. Constructivisim [online] available at: http://www.artmovements.co.uk/constructivism.htm

• About, 2014. Constructivism [online] available at: http://architecture.about.com/od/20thcenturytrends/ig/Modern-Architecture/Constructivism.htm

• WordPress, N/A. Was Graphic Design influenced by Futurism, Constructivism, Dada and De Stijl? [image online] available at: http://sarahsmedley1992.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/was-graphic-design-influenced-by-futurism-constructivism-dada-and-de-stijl/