RUSSIAN CONSTRUCTIVISM: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS, ARCHITECTURE - ART - 2025

The Russian Constructivism was an artistic movement very influential that flourished in Russia in the twentieth century and evolved when the Bolsheviks came to power in the October Revolution of 1917. Through this modern art movement, many expressed the advanced Soviet artists who supported the goals of the revolution.

In itself, it was a new approach to creating objects, although it took ideas from Cubism, Suprematism and Futurism. In short, his aim was to abolish the traditional artistic concern with composition and replace it with "construction."

Vladimir Tatlin

Russian constructivism required a careful technical analysis of modern materials. This research was ultimately to produce ideas useful for mass production, serving the ends of a communist society.

However, the movement failed in trying to transition from the artist's studio to the factory. Some continued to insist on the value of abstract analytical work and the value of art itself. Several of these artists had a great impact on the spread of constructivism throughout Europe.

Others, for their part, advanced into a new but short-lived phase known as productivism. These artists worked in industry, but without the same success as Russian Constructivism.

History

In 1917, Kasimir Malevich used the term Art of Construction to describe, disparagingly, the work of Alexander Rodchenko. However, it was Vladimir Yevgrafovich Tatlin who first expressed the constructivist ideas.

Tatlin had visited Picasso in Paris. Upon his return, he began to produce his Constructions in relief. It was a series of sculptures made with waste material that imitated the work of the Spanish artist.

Meanwhile, after the Bolshevik seizure of power, two groups of influential Muscovite abstract painters came into conflict. The former preferred to adhere to pure art, or concrete art.

For their part, the second group, which included Tatlin, considered traditional fine arts to be dead. They opted for utilitarian and propagandistic work. The latter group won out and became known as "constructivists" or "artist-engineers."

In 1922, Alexei Gan, theorist of the movement, issued a Constructivist Manifesto. Later, easel art was banned and painters and sculptors were forced to switch to industrial design. Many disgruntled artists left Russia. The creativity for those who remained was rigidly controlled.

By the mid-1920s, Russian Constructivism was in decline. This, in part, was due to the increasing hostility of the Bolshevik regime to avant-garde art.

However, he continued to be an inspiration to artists in the West. A movement called International Constructivism flourished in Germany in the 1920s. Its legacy lasted until the 1950s.

Characteristics of Russian constructivism

It's a philosophy

Russian Constructivism was considered more of a philosophy than just a style. This philosophy reflected a belief in art for social change and not as a personal expression.

Its supporters advocated functional art and design rather than decorative and expressive art. These ideas permeated the revolutionary spirit of the moment. Bourgeois culture was being replaced by the revolutionary proletarian movement.

Acceptance of modernity

As with Futurism, one of the main characteristics of Russian Constructivism was the acceptance of modernity. In general, it was a totally abstract art, with an emphasis on geometric shapes and experimentation.

Constructivist art was optimistic, but it did not tend to be emotional, favoring objective and universal forms.

Minimalism

A new order in art was sought, with the experimentation of new media. A feature of this style was minimalism, simplifying everything to the most fundamental level.

The new art for the new order should lead to greater understanding, peace and unity. This, in turn, would have an impact on the social and economic problems of the moment.

Architecture

One of the purposes of Constructivist architecture was to instill the avant-garde in everyday life. Russian constructivism sought to build the spaces in which the new socialist utopia could be achieved.

Utilitarian projects were then created for the workers. But extravagant projects like Gyorgy Krutikov's Flying City were also designed. This project was conceived as a serious proposal for homes in the air.

In this way, these extremes demonstrated the tensions between individualism and utilitarianism in constructivism. On the one hand, they promoted greater equality in society and, on the other, they offered some grandiose and even reckless projects.

Design

The tools and techniques of more traditional figurative painting and art styles were replaced by "constructed" photomontages and strong typography.

Russian constructivism characteristically had minimal color palettes. In general, they only used red and black, and sometimes yellow. Diagonal elements with type and circular and angled images were common.

Thus, the result was extremely dramatic, with layered images combined with powerful typography. This art has been described as exciting, shocking, and even shocking. This movement signified a dramatic change from more conventional art movements and philosophies.

Originally, the constructivist style was intended for political messages. However, it leaked into product advertisements and posters of all kinds, as well as the covers and interior parts of books.

Featured Works and Authors

1. The Art Story (2018). Constructivism Movement Overview and Analysis. Retrieved on February 9, 2018, from theartstory.org.
2. Encyclopedia of Art History. (s / f). Russian Constructivism (c.1914-1932). Retrieved on February 9, 2018, from visual-arts-cork.com.
3. Strizver, I. (2017, September 27). Russian Constructivism and Graphic Design. Retrieved on February 9, 2018, from creativepro.com.
4. New World Encyclopedia. (s / f). Constructivist architecture. Retrieved on February 9, 2018, from newworldencyclopedia.org.
5. Garrow, K. (s / f). The Constructivist Art Movement (1917 - 1921). Retrieved on February 9, 2018, from keithgarrow.com.
6. The Art History Archive. (s / f). Russian Constructivism. Retrieved on February 9, 2018, from arthistoryarchive.com.