Graphic Design as It Relates to Constructivism
Graphic Design as it Relates to Constructivism
“We do not need a dead mausoleum of art where dead works are worshiped, but a living factory of the human spirit – in the streets, in the tramways, in the factories, workshops, and workers’ homes.” — Vladimir Mayakovsky (Russian Futurist-Constructivist poet) 2
Modern Graphic Design is the result of the nurturing of many past art movements. The Constructivist movement played its part in contributing to today’s graphic design and continues to father creative expression in modern graphics, architecture, sculpture, and interior design. Three Russian artists, Vladimir Tatlin, Alexander Rodchenko, and El Lissitzky, played prominent roles in the building of the Constructivist movement and in doing contributed much to modern graphic design. Constructivism was a movement consisting of works that moved away from the abstract. The artists believed in trying to link art with concrete ideas. They were optimistic, looking towards a new order in art and architecture that dealt with the social and economic problems of the day. They wanted to convey the idea that the zenith of artwork does not revolve around fine or high art, but instead focuses on the idea that some of the most invaluable artwork can often be found in the nuances of practical art. Constructivism was an invention of the Russians though it later found members across the continent. The artists mainly consisted of Russians depicting art that portrayed their patriotic and societal beliefs. It is this component that has changed modern graphic design the most. Modern graphic designers base their art around the practical and tangible needs of today’s society as well. For today’s society art is primarily valued for its usefulness, as in marketing, rather than its aesthetics. Vladimir Tatlin was one of the most important names in the Russian Avant-Garde arts of the 20 's. As a young Russian art student he traveled to Paris and became so inspired by the work of
“We do not need a dead mausoleum of art where dead works are worshiped, but a living factory of the human spirit – in the streets, in the tramways, in the factories, workshops, and workers’ homes.” — Vladimir Mayakovsky (Russian Futurist-Constructivist poet) 2
Modern Graphic Design is the result of the nurturing of many past art movements. The Constructivist movement played its part in contributing to today’s graphic design and continues to father creative expression in modern graphics, architecture, sculpture, and interior design. Three Russian artists, Vladimir Tatlin, Alexander Rodchenko, and El Lissitzky, played prominent roles in the building of the Constructivist movement and in doing contributed much to modern graphic design. Constructivism was a movement consisting of works that moved away from the abstract. The artists believed in trying to link art with concrete ideas. They were optimistic, looking towards a new order in art and architecture that dealt with the social and economic problems of the day. They wanted to convey the idea that the zenith of artwork does not revolve around fine or high art, but instead focuses on the idea that some of the most invaluable artwork can often be found in the nuances of practical art. Constructivism was an invention of the Russians though it later found members across the continent. The artists mainly consisted of Russians depicting art that portrayed their patriotic and societal beliefs. It is this component that has changed modern graphic design the most. Modern graphic designers base their art around the practical and tangible needs of today’s society as well. For today’s society art is primarily valued for its usefulness, as in marketing, rather than its aesthetics. Vladimir Tatlin was one of the most important names in the Russian Avant-Garde arts of the 20 's. As a young Russian art student he traveled to Paris and became so inspired by the work of
Bibliography: 1 Stokstad, Marilyn Art History Revised Edition Volume Two, Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated New York, 1999 2 Kleiner, Fred S.; Mamiya, Christin J.; Tansey, Richard G. Gardner’s Art Throught The Ages Eleventh Edition Volume Two, Earl McPeek, 2001 3 Richter, Klaus Prestel Sightlines Art from Impressionism to the Internet, Prestel Verlag, 2001 4 ArtStor.org http://www.artstor.org/artstor/nexaweb/ShowImageViewer.do?numRows=40&imagePos=2&q=null&vo=SearchImageThumbNailsView&id=ARTSTOR_103_41822003118229&side=left&contentType=4&newwindow=null&contentTitle=Multiple+Collections&openIGViewer=null&sp2=true&metamode=true