Constructivism

Constructivism started to show in art works in the 20th century, making it the last modern art movement as well as the the most influential. It developed first in Russia, taking inspiration from other movement such as Futurism, Cubism and Supermatism. Although taking inspiration from other movements, it had a completely new way of dealing with the composition objects had, meaning that the artists’ mission when making something for the movement, was to destroy the object’s traditional composition and give it a “construction” shape; hence the name for the movement.

The movement had a very technical approach to design, only creating objects that could be later used for mass production.

Some Artist during this time, preferred the work of an abstract nature and analytical work, these were the people who impacted the movement of constructivism in Europe. Others worked in industry, but this was a saddening phase as well as short lived. This was called Productivism.

Constructivism was the need and desire to showcase the modern life. During that time, the energy of modern life was dynamic and very positive, and artists wanted to show that in their work. The movement started to die down during the 1920s’.

Aleksandr Rodchenko was an artist in the Constructivism movement in Russia. He was born in 1891 in St. Petersburg, Russia but moved along with his family to Kazan in 1905. After the move, Aleksandr Rodchenko decided that he would like the continue studying art. He did his studying at the Kazan School of Fine Arts. He enrolled in 1910 and graduated from the school in 1914. That year, he started attending classes lectured by multiple Russian Futurists; Vladimir Mayakovsky being one of them.

Rodchenko moved to Moscow in 1915, a year after World War 2 began in Russia. There he studied in the Graphic part of the Stroganov School of Applied Art. While attending the school, he took part in exhibitions; some organised by Vladimir Tatlin.

He became a huge leader in the movement of Constructivism. His designs were greeted well among other artists, with his clean, sharp lines and his crisp designs. He formed the first ‘working’ group of the Constructivism movement. The relationship between him and the movement was one that shaped the other. He made the movement what it was, whilst the movement made him who he was.

In 1923, he received a lot of commissions for book designs and posters and he started taking his own photography he also became principle designer for the magazine Lef.

Rodchenko’s style is still very evident in today’s Graphic Design. The idea of Constructivism’s line and sharp designs is still very visible, in today’s Graphic Design more than ever before.

Aleksandr Rodchenko paved the way for modern design.

REFERENCE:

Aleksandr Rodchenko | Russian graphic designer, constructivist, photography & painter. 2014. Aleksandr Rodchenko | Russian graphic designer, constructivist, photography & painter. [ONLINE] Available at: https://aleksandrodchenko.wordpress.com. [Accessed 23 December 2014].

Constructivism Movement, Artists and Major Works | The Art Story. 2014. Constructivism Movement, Artists and Major Works | The Art Story. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theartstory.org/movement-constructivism.htm. [Accessed 23 December 2014].