International Graphic Design Exhibition

“This exhibition presents works of contemporary artists and designers who are attempting to re-imagine the Russian avant-garde movement in the age digital media, marketing collateral, and web design. Using the Russian avant- garde as their main source of their inspiration, these artists re-contextualize familiar themes, while exploring new technologies and striving to form their own unique visual language”. Olga Severina, curator

Kari Piippo, FinlandVladimir Zholud, Ukraine Mayakovsky 120 Poster Campaign Rodchenko 120 Poster Campaign Design Sphere Poster Campaign

Mayakovsky 120 Poster Campaign This commemorative poster campaign was organized by the Russian Academy of Graphic Design and the Moscow Design Biennale “Golden Bee” in 2013 Posters were created to honor the life of one of the most prominent figures of the avant-garde movement - an outstanding poet, artist and innovator These posters are created by well-known artists from around the world: Europe, Middle East, the Americas

Works by Alain Le Quernec Alain Le Quernec, Poster for a theater production Alain Le Quernec, Poster for a music festival Alain Le Quernec, Maykovsky 120 Campaign

Work by Majid Abbasi Majid Abbasi, Iran Mayakovsky 120 Poster Campaign Majid Abbasi, Iran Exhibition Poster (2007) Majid Abbasi, Iran Poster from the exhibition at York University (2008)

Rodchenko 120 Poster Campaign This poster series was designed to celebrate the life and work of Alexander Rodchenko, who was a very versatile artist and designer Much of the work of the 20 th century graphic designers is a direct result of Rodchenko’s earlier work in the field Rodchenko turned to photomontage and photography because he believed that it was the most “socially engaged and formally innovative” medium

Design Sphere Poster Campaign Is an educational and promotional project Was created by students of Kharkov State Academy of Arts and Design The posters illustrate various historical trends in the world of art, made in a style inspired by techniques of it’s most recognizable proponents Curated by Ukrainian professor Vladimir Lesnyak, this poster exhibit was presented to Russian and Ukrainian audiences before obtaining an international status

What is the Russian Avant-garde? -Umbrella term used to describe three art movements: Constructivism, Futurism and Suprematism that developed in Russia in the early 20th century -Artists yearned for the creation of a new society and the destruction of the old. They sought to create a format which was uniquely Russian in style - The movement was marked by experimentation, cross-fertilization among all the arts, and concerns about sociopolitical issues -Rise of graphic design (propaganda posters) and advertising

Constructivism (1920s-30s) -Was the last and most influential modern art movement to flourish in Russia in the 20th century -Evolved just as the Bolsheviks came to power in the October Revolution of 1917 Poster by El Lissitzky (1928)

Constructivism (1920s-30s) -Initially provided hope for many of the most advanced Russian artists who supported the revolution’s goals -Proposed to replace art’s traditional concern with composition with a focus on “construction” The Monument to the Third International, V. Tatlin ( )

Constructivism (1920s-30s) -Artists insisted it was their civic duty to engineer a more stable and harmonious society -Believed that the visual form of a work of art should be dictated by its materials Lengiz books on all subjects! Alexander Rodchenko

Constructivism (1920s-30s) -Tried to express their experience of modern life – its dynamism, its new and disorientating qualities of space and time - Applied their ideals across the entire social spectrum of contemporary experience to every mode of creative endeavor Movie poster by Georgy and Vladimir Stenberg (1929)

Constructivist Ideas “The artist constructs a new symbol with his brush. This symbol is not a recognizable form of anything which is already finished, already made, already existing in the world - it is a symbol of a new world, which is being built upon and which exists by way of people.” - El Lissitzky (artist)

Elements of Constructivist Style A feverish depiction of line Dynamic composition Abstracted iconography Stark silhouetting Emphasis on simple geometry Highly innovative use of collage and photomontage 5 Minutes, Anatoly Belsky, (1929)

a purely non-objective approach in the making of artwork was essentially geometric, precise and almost mathematical emphasized the supremacy of the world of machines and structures over nature Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge (1919) by El Lissitzky

Student Work El Lissitzky poster by Robert Gurlik Anne Arundel Community College El Lissitzky poster by Amanda Beall Anne Arundel Community College