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El Lissitzky - Perhaps his most famous work was the 1919 propaganda poster
"Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge"
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Constructivism was a
movement that originated in Russia in 1919. It rejected the idea of art for
arts’ sake and believed that art should in fact act as a social and political
purpose.
The movement developed
after the First World War and pursued the idea that society would rebuild
itself on a utopian model rather than the previous one that led them to war.
Kasmir Malevich first coined the term construction art in reference to the work of Aleksander Rodchenko. Graphic Design in the constructivism movement ranged from the production of product packaging to logos, posters, book covers and advertisements. Constructivism is marked by abstract and geometrical elements; it uses simple, flat, symbolic colours mainly including red, white and black, with combinations of different sans serif typefaces.
Kasmir Malevich first coined the term construction art in reference to the work of Aleksander Rodchenko. Graphic Design in the constructivism movement ranged from the production of product packaging to logos, posters, book covers and advertisements. Constructivism is marked by abstract and geometrical elements; it uses simple, flat, symbolic colours mainly including red, white and black, with combinations of different sans serif typefaces.
Constructivism in fact
was simply a need to express their experiences with the new life they where
living in. Surrounded by new confusing qualities of space and time, the desire
to develop a new form of art felt fitting in the relation to the goals of the
Russian Revolution. (The Art Story Foundation, 2011)
El Lissitzky was one
of the artists that took charge of this new desire to create such art. By using
the social and political change happening at the time, Lissitzky designed many
exhibitions as propaganda for the Soviet Union.
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Lissitzky's The Constructor, 1924. (London, Victoria & Albert Museum)
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Lissitzkys style
embodied the Constructivists’ essence in his posters. He developed a style of
painting where he used abstract geometric shapes which he referred to as
‘prouns’, an acronym for ‘projects for the establishment of new art’, to define
the spatial relationships of his compositions.
Lissitzkys idea of propaganda was often a self-imposed political message. He sought to use poster, book and architecture as channels to connect his messages to the public.
Lissitzkys idea of propaganda was often a self-imposed political message. He sought to use poster, book and architecture as channels to connect his messages to the public.
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Lissitzky's Catalogue Cover
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A Proun by Lissitzky, c.1925. Commenting on Proun in 1921, Lissitzky stated, "We brought the canvas into circles . . . and while we turn, we raise ourselves into the space."
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Lissitzky's influence
in the world of graphic design cannot be overstated. He utilised a pared-down
palette of primary colours, black and white, text, and basic forms, shapes both
real as well as invented geometric constructions, to tell stories, including
traditional Jewish tales, and to make very powerful political statements.
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Books (The Advertisement Poster for the Lengiz Publishing House) (1924)
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In 1932 Stalin
demanded that artists conform too much stricter guidelines or be blacklisted.
In fact due to the strict rules of communism constructivism came to an end.
The Constructivism
movement had a huge impact on graphic design. Design now was used to serve and
drive messages across through visual communication. Design wise, negative space
began to be noticed as an important aspect of the composition. Moreover certain
typography is associated instantly to the movement. Constructivism simply shows
how successful a design can truly be if it is created with an intention and a
purpose.
As the world has witnessed a recession in the past few years, Saks Fifth Avenue, an American luxury department store chain has decided to raise a stand with its new spring marketing. The campaign in fact is inspired by Constructivist art with its unique colours and similarities to Rodchenko’s type. The designer, Shepard Fairey, uses black and white images with geometric shapes surrounded by red. The campaigns mood is shifted towards the idea of propaganda, warning customers to get ready and arm themselves. However most people are sophisticated enough to realize that its only a means of grabbing attention and nothing close to any political statements.(Wilson, 2009)
As the world has witnessed a recession in the past few years, Saks Fifth Avenue, an American luxury department store chain has decided to raise a stand with its new spring marketing. The campaign in fact is inspired by Constructivist art with its unique colours and similarities to Rodchenko’s type. The designer, Shepard Fairey, uses black and white images with geometric shapes surrounded by red. The campaigns mood is shifted towards the idea of propaganda, warning customers to get ready and arm themselves. However most people are sophisticated enough to realize that its only a means of grabbing attention and nothing close to any political statements.
Bibliography
Ayiter,
E., 2006. The History of Visual Communication. [Online] Available at: http://www.citrinitas.com/history_of_viscom/avantgarde.html
[Accessed 3 November 2014].
MoMA, 2010. Constructivism. [Online] Available at: http://www.designishistory.com/1920/constructivism/
[Accessed 3 November 2014].
MoMA, 2014. El Lissitzky : Design Is History.
[Online] Available at: http://www.designishistory.com/1920/el-lissitzky
[Accessed 3 November 2014].
The Art Story Foundation, 2011. Constructivism.
[Online] Available at: http://www.theartstory.org/movement-constructivism.htm
[Accessed 3 November 2014].
Wilson, E., 2009. Consumers of the World Unite.
[Online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/fashion/08ROW.html?_r=0
[Accessed 2 December 2014].
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