Constructivism

1
Constructivism
Rodchenkos Oval Hanging Construction 12
2
Origin

• Constructivist art originated from Picassos
  sculptures with separate elements instead of a
  solid piece of stone or metal.
• The actual movement was born in Russia, 1914,
  with the work of Vladimir Tatlin.
• The term constructivist wasnt used until after
  the Russian Revolution of 1917.
• The movement then spread to the rest of Europe.
  The first real organization was created in
  Germany in 1922.

3
Ideals of Constructivism

• Constructivist work was influenced strongly by
  the concepts of technology and engineering, and
  thus incorporated them through efficient use of
  materials, clear and exact organization, and a
  lack of any ornamentation.
• In a way, it was utilitarianism in art.
• Very abstract
• Objective rather than subjective and a rejection
  of representation
• The Russian Constructivist movements belief that
  art had no independent purpose separated it from
  the international movement. The Russian artists
  used art to serve the State.
• International Constructivism also sought make the
  elements of art more systematic.

4
Constructivist Sculpture

• Combined engineering with sculpture.
• Separate elements
• Created from materials associated with modern
  industry and technology, such as steel, aluminum,
  glass, wire, cardboard, and wood.
• In accordance with their industrial theme, these
  sculptures were often in the shape of cranes,
  bridges, and other structures.

5
Vladmir Tatlin

• Russian Constructivist
• Traveled to Paris in 1913, where he met Pablo
  Picasso and saw his reliefs made of iron, wood,
  and cardboard.
• With this experience he returned home and began
  making his own reliefs of similar materials.
  Displaying them at a Futurist exhibition in 1915.
• His followers would later form the Constructivist
  movement.
• After 1927, he spent his time working on an
  insect-like glider he named Letatlin, which never
  worked.
• After 1933, he turned to designing stage sets.

6
Monument to the Third International

• Tatlins most famous piece.
• It was intended to be a huge tower over 1,300
  feet tall, made of an iron skeleton holding three
  rotating glass tiers in the shape of a cylinder,
  a cone, and a cube.
• Each tier would house a branch of the Comintern.
• It was never built, as the government of the time
  didnt like such forms of art. It exists solely
  as a 22 foot-tall model.
• Anyway, it is doubtful that the post-war soviet
  government could have afforded such a project.

7
Naum Neemia Pevsner (Naum Gabo)

• Another Russian-born Constructivist, studied
  engineering.
• Started creating constructions in 1915, which
  were noted for their simplicity and beauty.
• Interacted with constructivists Tatlin and
  Kandinsky while living in Moscow
• Wrote the Realistic Manifesto, which sought to
  define constructivism.
• Lived in and was a part of the constructivist
  movements of Berlin, Paris, and England.

8
Constructivism in Theatre

• This movement made its appearance on the stage in
  the form of stage sets, which were given an
  industrial, mechanized appearance.
• Constructivist influence also appeared in the
  dress and movements of the actors. Their
  clothing became very practical, and their
  movements became influenced by biomechanics a
  sort of acrobatics with almost robot-like
  movement.

9
Construction on (through) a Plane

• c. 1937, by Gabo.
• One of his first pieces using a new plastic
  called Perspex, which he discovered was easier to
  work with than other plastics.
• Separate elements.
• The planes emanating from the center give it a
  feeling of energy and movement

10
Aleksandr Mikhailovich Rodchenko

• Very geometric paintings.
• Began creating constructions in 1919 using
  geometric forms.
• Led the Productivists, a group of Constructivists
  who wanted to create art more relevant to the
  proletariat.
• He gave up painting and turned to photography,
  poster art, printing, and stage design.