Russian Avant-Garde (Alexander Rodchenko, Project #3)

Project #3: Rodchenko Poster Create a poster about Alexander Rodchenko. Due Thur., Oct. 18 Aleksander Rodchenko was a Russian artist, sculptor, photographer and graphic designer who lived in the early 20th cent. He was one of the founders of Constructivism. General Requirements: Page size: 8.5" x 11" Include the following info: a) The name of the artist: Alexander Rodchenko b) A quote by Rodchenko: “Life, conscious and organized life, capable of seeing and constructing, is contemporary art". The poster has to be created in the style of ConstructivismConstructivism

Rodchenko Exhibit at EVC (3 rd floor, Library building)

About the EVC Rodchenko Exhibit Year 2012 is the year of the 10th Golden Bee biennale, which makes it our 20th anniversary. The main event of the 2012 biennale is an international design competition conducted in a form of a poster exhibition with a slogan “Rodchenko 120”. This exhibit celebrates the 120th anniversary of great Russian avant-garde artist Alexander Rodchenko, and explores the influence of this important movement on the world of art. It consists of posters created by the leading Russian graphic designers.

Who’s Alexander Rodchenko? Russian artist and designer who lived in the early 20 th cent. Founder of “Constructivism” Was part of the Russian Avant-Garde movement

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 Initially provided hope for many of the most advanced Russian artists who supported the revolution’s goals (equality, power to the masses, etc.) -Proposed to replace art’s traditional concern with composition with a focus on “construction” (i.e. more emphasis on functionality than beauty)

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 -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 (art, dance, fashion, film, theater, etc.)

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 Lizzitsky (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 Anatoly Belsky, 5 Minutes, 1929.

Similar Project Created by Students Make sure to take a look at other links posted on the class site: 1. Student projects from Missouri State University 2. Posters designed by Rodchenko