y
tor
his bre
o
ign
des nas n
jo
lo
pau
N
M
A
S
I
I
S
V
S
I
U
T
R
ign
des
and
T
S
N
O
C
C
U
R
n
tio
olu
rev
The historical context
war and revolution
The movement
The idea
The means
The artists
El Lissitzky
Alexander Rodchenko
The influence
CONTENTS
me
ta
ga
kin cow
pea , Mos
e
ns
eni quar
S
ir L
dim lov
Vla Sverd
in
ng
eti
A
C
RI
C
L
nd
ra
wa
E
H
T
ts
e
L
he
t
e
a
sm
O
T
S
I
H
re
a
u
q
s
u
so
le
pa
s!
e
ush
r
rb
ou mir
s
t
e
lad
tre
s
e
,t
tes
T
X
E
T
N
O
ky
s
kov
a
y
Ma
n
tio
olu
rev
After First World War:
- The emergence of a new model of society;
- Life more practical;
- The spread of the information among the people by the
technological inovations;
- Spirit of innovation.
After Russian Revolution
- The people has the power;
- A semi-iliterate population need to learn more about
the new social movement: the socialism;
- There is a necessity of a more practical and functional
language of communication;
- Art is not seen as a belonging of a little parcel of the
society, but can be applied in the social life of everyone.
der
xan
Ale
igi
, Kn
nko
che
Rod
24
), 19
oks
(Bo
t
n
e
a
ide s
The mean
The
th
m
e
m
e
ov
i
cub
PR
EM
AT
IS
sm
M
RIS
TU
FU
SU
M
rationality
new abstraction
mechanical production
funtional art
social issues
uc
tr
ns
Co
m
is
tiv
hanic
ec
a
uct
rod ion
THE IDEA
People see art and
can feel art but art is
restricted to a little
group.
Art is involving peoples
lives, bringing a more
functional and useful
concept for everyday
needs.
Principles of Constructivism by Aleksei Gan
CONSTRUCTIVISM
TECTONICS TEXTURE CONSTRUCTION
Communist
Ideology
+
visual form
nature of
materials
+
useof them in
production
THE IDEA
creative process
+
search for laws of visual
organization
Restricted use of colours
The restricted use of colours on
Constructivist works, appeared as a way
to give a consistent meaning and turn the
assimilation of image easier. Colour is not
a sensation, but also an information on
the composition.
The 3rd [Communist] International
Viktor Deni
Poster, 1921
THE MEANS
Help
Dmitri S. Moor
Poster, 1920
Use of geometrical forms
Geometrical forms were used as a great
narrative resource. The metaphor could give a
more understood information through circles,
wedges and lines.
Geometrical forms could also represent the
new world, based on rational thought and the
machines.
Beat the whites with the red Wedge, El Lissitzky, poster 1920
THE MEANS
Mechanical techiniques
Photomontage by juxtaposition and
superimposition allowed the artist to work
with a bigger range of visual possibilities.
Photography was being used as a
instrument to show the reality.
The mass production also was applied in
design production.
The Constructor, El Lissitzky
Self-portrait, 1924
Miss Mend, Alexander Rodchenko
Paperback book covers, 1924
r
a
e
s
t
s
i
t
th
o
enk
ch
zky
sit r Rod
Lis
e
El xand
Ale
El Lissitzky (1890-1941)
Lissitzky had your first contacts with art by
Suprematism, but he created your own
abstract art trying to make pieces of easier
assimilation:
- Using geometrical forms in compositions;
- Typography as an imagetic component;
For the Voice
Poetry by Vladimir Mayakovsky
Design by El Lissitzky
THE ARTISTS
Fields:
- Paiting;
- Sculpture;
- Typography;
- Graphic Design;
- Exhibition
The story of two squares
El Lissitzky, 1922
Alexander Rodchenko (1891-1956)
In early contacts with art, he became
familiar with Futurists.
After revolution, their ideas were
reorganized, creating a new art inspired
in the industrial production on dynamic
and vigorous compositions.
- Using Photomontage;
- Diagonal organization;
- Symmetry;
- Standadization
Stairs, 1930
Photography
Alexander Rodchenko
Fields:
- Paiting;
- Photography;
- Graphic Design;
- Advertising for industries,
cinema and theatre.
Fire scape, 1925
Photography
Alexander Rodchenko
knigi, 1924
Poster
Alexander Rodchenko
Grab the lifebelt, 1923
Gum store advertisement
Alexander Rodchenko
u
str
Con
vis
cti
er
egl
d K face
e
har
Ric e, Typ
r
qua
mS
do e, 1986
a
n
o
u
ald Cinq
M
a
rdo alist
a
u
Est ension
Dim
th
i
e
u
l
nf
e
c
n
e
How to think and make art:
What purpose?
For who?
Those questions were important
to open doors for other modern
movements later. These
movements, like Bauhaus and
Swiss Style improved the idea of a
International Style.
Form was caught on Function,
reducing the shapes and forms to
the minimal: circle, line, block,
square.
Although Constructivism began
as a regional movement with a
especific goal, it spread over
others countries, movements and
times.
Giselle
Poster, 1959
Armin Hoffman
THE INFLUENCE
Aynsley, J. (2001). Pioneers of Modern Graphic Design. London: Octopus Publishing
Group Ltd.
Bhaskaran, L. (2005). Designs of the Times: Using Key Movements and Styles for Contemporary Design. London: RotoVision.
Hatherley, O. (2011, November 4). The guardian. Retrieved from The guardian:
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/nov/04/russian-avant-garde-constructivists
Hollis, R. (2001). Graphic Design: a concise history. London: Thames & Hudson.
Meggs, P. (1992). A history of graphic design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Ruhrberg, K. (1998). Art of 20th Century. London: Taschen.
