Russian Constructivism (Art History)

Russian Constructivism

What period did the Constructivists make work?
Russian Constructivism was a movement that was active from 1913 to the 1940's after the World War 1.


Who are the key artists that are involved in Russian Constructivism?
Famous constructivist artists include, Kasmir Malevich, Aleksander Rodchenko, Jan Tschichold, Naum Gabo, El Lissitzky, Vladimir Mayakovsky and Varvara Stepanova.


What is the aim/ideas/inspiration behind Russian Constructivism?
Constructivist art is committed to complete abstraction with a devotion to modernity, themes are often geometric, experimental and rarely emotional. Objective forms carrying universal meaning were far more suitable to the movement than subjective or individualistic forms. Constructivist themes are also quite minimal, where the artwork is broken down to its most basic elements. New media was often used in the creation of works, which helped to create a style of art that was orderly. An art of order was desirable at the time because it was just after WWI that the movement arose, which suggested a need for understanding, unity and peace. 

What media do they work in?
Russian Constructivists work in materials such as plastic, metal, glass, screws, workshop wood and wire.

This is a piece of work by Rodchenko. He experimented with photography and photo-montage. The key features that make it a unique piece of graphic design because of his use of striking composition and colour.

This piece is by Lissitzky. He uses his work to approach equality of living within society. In his early years he developed a style of painting in which he used abstract geometric shapes, which he referred to as "prouns", to define the spatial relationships of his compositions. The shapes were developed in a 3-dimensional space, that often contained varying perspectives, which was a direct contrast to the ideas of suprematist theories which stressed the simplification of shapes and the use of 2D space only.

This artwork is created by Naum Gabo. He uses both abstract & figurative form, angles to create tone, tone using light, intelligent design and steel material.

Graphics (Using Illustrator)

Using Aobe Illustrator, I tried using the pen tool to create simple shapes. I then used the colour tool to color the shapes.

Using the pen tool I completed a starting activity to get to grips with the pen tool on joining points to make a drawing.

I used effects on my drawing by using artistic brush strokes.

The difference between the selection arrow and the direct selection arrow is that the selection arrow is white and it selects multiple points whereas the direct selection arrow selects one point at a time.

I used the pathfinder palette to draw and edit paths into shapes.

I used the layers filter to help use my own observational drawing to trace from to create my digital drawing.

Final Drawing

Narrative Photography

Plan
To start my narrative photography I am going to look into the theme of movement and growing. For these themes I will think about what will be moving/growing and what will use to explain the story. The idea of using myself to explain movement and growth is something that I want to incorporate into my narrative photography because it links with my brief of figure.


Digitally capturing images of narrative photography explored the themes of moving and growing.

From these narrative themes I chose my favorite story.

My favorite story are these which have the theme of growing, i like this because the brief of figure makes me firstly think of the human body growing which links to the theme i have chosen.

The final outcome was good, i enjoyed both experimenting then putting the final images together to make the narrative, if i was to do this again i would try doing a similar theme and develop them in the dark room.