Rodchenko & Popova:Defining Constructivism: Defining Constructivism - Softcover

Tupitsyn, Margarita

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1854377965 ISBN 13: 9781854377968

Publisher: Tate Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

Alexander Rodchenko (1891-1956) and Lyubov Popova (1889-1924) were involved in the Russian avant-garde during its most exciting period following the Russian Revolution, as they and other artists took part in the attempt to create a new world. As leading lights in the Constructivist movement they were responsible for an astonishing array of iconic works. This groundbreaking book, the first to give the female and male artist equal status, will throw new light on their achievements and the extent of their influence, still felt today.The book will be in four main sections, each examining the artists' production during a particular time period. Section 1 spans the years from the Revolution in 1917 to 1921, when both artists believed that abstract art had the potential to transform everyday life. Popova was perhaps the leading painter of the Constructivist movement; Rodchenko moved into the field of three-dimensional constructions, under the influence of his friend Tatlin. Section 2 will focus on the legendary 5x5=25 exhibitions and will include works by other participating artists. The third section will cover 1921 to 1924, the year Popova's life was tragically cut short by scarlet fever. This was the period when both artists came to believe that art for art's sake was parasitical and plunged into the practical realms of artistic production. Illustrations of their projects will demonstrate the extent of their influence on twentieth-century graphic design, fashion, media, theatre and cinema. Section 4 follows Rodchenko's move into photography, the medium for which he is perhaps best remembered, and explores his involvement with film.An examination of the lives and work of these two artists along with their extensive network of colleagues and collaborators provides a key to the whole Constructivist project. For the first time the issue of gender is explored; is there a difference between the approach of a female Constructivist and a male one? The authors' surprising conclusions and the wealth of new scholarship and previously unpublished works it includes make this book indispensable to all those wishing to learn more about the art of this fascinating period.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Alexander Rodchenko and Lyubov Popova were involved in the Russian avant-garde during its most exciting period following the Russian Revolution. An examination of the lives and work of these two artists along with their extensive network of colleagues and collaborators provides a key to the whole Constructivist project. The authors' surprising conclusions and the wealth of new scholarship and previously unpublished works it includes make this book indispensable.

About the Author

Margarita Tupitsyn is a leading expert on and curator of Russian avant-garde art and photography and is the author of Malevich and Film. Christina Kiaer is Associate Professor of Art History at Northwestern University, Illinois, and specialises in Russian and Soviet art, the politics of the avant-garde and feminist theory and art.

Edition details

• Publisher: Tate Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1854377965
• ISBN 13: 9781854377968
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 190