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.