Meghan E French
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Century of Design

Constructivism began after the Russian revolution and civil war, ending in 1918. The movement was a way to denounce the old “westernized” and european influence government, and to glorify the new communist government and the working class people of Russia. As a movement constructivists highly denounced self expression and ornate imagery that was the focus of the old government. Highly influenced by cubism painting, Vladimir Tatlin’s Monument III Internationale marked the beginning of constructivism as an art form in russia. Tatlin’s monument was meant to glorify the new government, and was impossible to build at the time of its initial design, making it even more glorified. Posters were created of the monument illustrations and were the first constructivist design pieces to be mass produced in Russia. These posters of Tatlin’s creation gave the monument iconic status in Russia at the time and began the idea of mass media influence on the citizens of the country. The term “Constructivism” wasn't coined until 1921 by Alexander Rodchenko, and was followed with other terms such as “productivism,” which he and his wife Varvara Stepanova also made popular. In this constructivist era designers were glorified and looked at as engineers or “constructors,” giving them a high status in the country.

 

CENTURY OF DESIGN: USPS Postage Stamps

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Constructivism began after the Russian revolution and civil war, ending in 1918. The movement was a way to denounce the old “westernized” and european influence government, and to glorify the new communist government and the working class people of Russia. As a movement constructivists highly denounced self expression and ornate imagery that was the focus of the old government. Highly influenced by cubism painting, Vladimir Tatlin’s Monument III Internationale marked the beginning of constructivism as an art form in russia. Tatlin’s monument was meant to glorify the new government, and was impossible to build at the time of its initial design, making it even more glorified. Posters were created of the monument illustrations and were the first constructivist design pieces to be mass produced in Russia. These posters of Tatlin’s creation gave the monument iconic status in Russia at the time and began the idea of mass media influence on the citizens of the country. The term “Constructivism” wasn't coined until 1921 by Alexander Rodchenko, and was followed with other terms such as “productivism,” which he and his wife Varvara Stepanova also made popular. In this constructivist era designers were glorified and looked at as engineers or “constructors,” giving them a high status in the country.