Constructivism also known as the Russian Constructivism was the last known as one of the most influential modern art movements that influenced Russia in the 20th Century. The movement emerged right after the Bolsheviks achieved their power in the October revolution back in 1917. The movement is a continuation to the Cubism, Suprematism and Futurism ideas.
The constructivism movement included several artists including; EL Lissitzky, Solomon Telingater and Anton Lavinsky. Many constructivists created posters for many different purposes from movie posters to political propaganda. Constructivism was all about replacing the traditional concept with a purpose to portray a more construction approach. Their work was based on shapes and showing a function to the posters created. The main goal of the constructivists was to portray a modern aspect art. The desire was to express the moment of a modern lifestyle, through use of space and time.
The constructivists are also known for their early development of photo-montage. Comparing the photomontage of the constructivists to those of the Dadaists, the constructivist’s work was less destructive than the Dadaists photomontage. El Lissitzky one of the founding members used to create posters with clearly showing Constructivists’ beliefs on art. His works show a good example of their revolution. He also was one of the constructivists that his designs were shown in the magazine ‘USSR in Construction’.
Through 1920 the artists developed new architecture, graphic design, photography and film and also due to the revolution of the time perfected new design styles for the mass production for Russia while the change from hand made to industrial production was happening.
One of the most known works from the constructivism is the “Beat the whites with Red Wedge” was a propaganda poster made by the artist El Lissitzky in 1920. The work established its fame in the West when the artist moved to Germany one year after it was made. Some people consider the work as the Russian symbol of the Civil war in Western Publications.
In my opinion the Russian constructivism was a great inspiration for contemporary graphic designers. If it was compared with posters of today there is a huge similarity. This similarity includes; colour and the concept of showing the theory of form follows function. The Iconic Obama poster is a great example when comparing colours. The; Red, Blue and beige are shown in this poster, and the inspiration is probably back from the Russian’s constructivism movement.
The constructivism movement included several artists including; EL Lissitzky, Solomon Telingater and Anton Lavinsky. Many constructivists created posters for many different purposes from movie posters to political propaganda. Constructivism was all about replacing the traditional concept with a purpose to portray a more construction approach. Their work was based on shapes and showing a function to the posters created. The main goal of the constructivists was to portray a modern aspect art. The desire was to express the moment of a modern lifestyle, through use of space and time.
The constructivists are also known for their early development of photo-montage. Comparing the photomontage of the constructivists to those of the Dadaists, the constructivist’s work was less destructive than the Dadaists photomontage. El Lissitzky one of the founding members used to create posters with clearly showing Constructivists’ beliefs on art. His works show a good example of their revolution. He also was one of the constructivists that his designs were shown in the magazine ‘USSR in Construction’.
Through 1920 the artists developed new architecture, graphic design, photography and film and also due to the revolution of the time perfected new design styles for the mass production for Russia while the change from hand made to industrial production was happening.
One of the most known works from the constructivism is the “Beat the whites with Red Wedge” was a propaganda poster made by the artist El Lissitzky in 1920. The work established its fame in the West when the artist moved to Germany one year after it was made. Some people consider the work as the Russian symbol of the Civil war in Western Publications.
In my opinion the Russian constructivism was a great inspiration for contemporary graphic designers. If it was compared with posters of today there is a huge similarity. This similarity includes; colour and the concept of showing the theory of form follows function. The Iconic Obama poster is a great example when comparing colours. The; Red, Blue and beige are shown in this poster, and the inspiration is probably back from the Russian’s constructivism movement.
Reference:
Creative Blogs, Oct 11, 2013, the easy guide to design movements: Constructivism. [online] Available at: < http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/easy-guide-design-movements-constructivism-10134843> accessed on: [15/11/14].
The Art Story, N/A, Constructivism. [Online] Available at: < http://www.theartstory.org/movement-constructivism.htm> accessed on: [04/10/14].