Constructivism

Constructivism first appeared in Russia in the early 1920's. It became popularly known as Russian Constructivism; this was influenced by new developments in theatre, film and literature. All mediums were affected, new designs appeared in sculpture, painting, photography and even architecture.

It all began with a group of Russian artists that wanted to go further then abstract art and turn it to practical design work. After the Revolution of 1917, designers wished to create a new visual environment, incorporating the new Communist order.

International Constructivism had a broader Western art that developed around 1922 till the end of the 1920's. This was primarily present around Germany. International Constructivism was inspired by the Russian Counterpart. The term 'Constructivism' is still often used when wishing to achieve abstract art using visual elements such as lines and planes. The forms are clear, orderly, simplistic and precise; materials used are usually plastic and metal.

Techniques tend to be of constructing sculpture from separate forms, rather than modelling or carving. A prime example of this technique was originally developed by Pablo Picasso in 1912, and Vladimir Tatlin in 1914. The first public show of the Constructivists took place on 22nd May 1921. Their exhibitions showed forms from skeletal to engineering structures using glass, metal and wood.

[Guitar by Pablo Picasso] 1912. [image online] Available at: <http://www.slipperysnake.co.uk/educational-materials/art/famous-painters/pablo-picasso/> [Accessed 2 December 2013].

[Corner Counter-relief by Vladimir Tatlin] 1914. [image online] Available at: <http://www.museothyssen.org/microsites/exposiciones/2006/Vanguardias/museo/museo_sala2_ing.html> [Accessed 2 December 2013].

Furniture took on a more simplistic visual appearance with ideas for creating space. Mainly made of wood, these space-saving creations became popular as limited living conditions drew on these collapsible, storable pieces of furniture.

Posters and Magazine covers also took on a new look; they began to appear with photomontages. Typography was bold with abstract designs.

The Constructivists managed to make a hit with Textile designers and quickly built up a mass-produced textile market, old floral designs were exchanged for new geometric, colourful designs. Unfortunately, it seemed difficult to enter other factories, as they were still recovering from seven years prior conflict and were not keen to take on new ideas. Even the government seemed reluctant to promote any new, modern ideas.

By 1925, the constructivist ideas made their way into Architecture, with the first buildings (Ginzburg's Ingosstrakh apartments) being erected in 1926.

[Moisei Ginzburg, Gosstrakh apartment complex in Moscow] 1926. [image online] Available at: < http://rosswolfe.wordpress.com/> [Accessed 2 December 2013].

MoMA, 2013. Constructivism, 2009. [online] Available at: <http://www.moma.org/collection/details.php?theme_id=10955&displayall=1#skipToContent> [Accessed 27 November 2013].

MoMA, 2013. Constructivism 1) Russian, 2009. [online] Available at: <http://www.moma.org/collection/details.php?theme_id=10955&section_id=T019195#skipToContent> [Accessed 27 November 2013].

MoMA, 2013. Constructivism 2) International, 2009. [online] Available at: <http://www.moma.org/collection/details.php?theme_id=10955&section_id=T019199#skipToContent> [Accessed 27 November 2013].