Week 2 - Constructivism and Post Modernism

 Constructivism

What is it?

Constructivism was a period of design that came out of Russia during the 20th century. 

It did not care as much about the stereotypical sort of composition that the movements before it did. It cared much more about being ‘constructed’. Constructivism sought to oppose traditional art and its idea of individual expression for a somewhat standardised approach to design.

Example of Constructivism 

Rechevik - Aleksandr Rodchenko, 1929

The creator of this pivotal designed artwork was a pioneer of Russian constructivism. Rodchenkos’ practice mainly included filmic mediums like photography, photomontage and graphic design, though he also designed physical works. This particular artwork was a wraparound book cover for ‘Orator:Verse’. This book This cover is one of his later designs which very clearly displays, rationalises and expresses the architectural and composed structure of this post-revolution design. 

Rodchenko uses lines to display architecture in the book cover. Clear, clean parallel lines cut with clear diagonals. This plain uniformity within the lines perfectly display the rigid precision seen within this time period of design history. The simple colour scheme also enhances this clear design yet the off centred diamond which is the focal point of the work makes it feel as if it is a repeated design motif. The compositional strategies in this work feel very purposeful, almost making me feel as if I’m stuck within this single mould of constructivist designed works. The rigid lines used in this artwork serve its purpose very well and incredibly effectively, allowing this artwork to flourish and earn its reputation as one of the most recognised contriving designed works. This feeling lends itself to the forced conformity of the Constructivist style,  considered ‘state approved’, that these artists worked within post-revolution. I enjoy the products of the constructivist period, due to the simple clean motifs, clear lines and simplicity experienced which subtlety enhances the works and elevates it to a simple complexity.   

Postmodernism 

What is it? 

Postmodernism is hard to fit into one definition. It was a period of design history that emerged in the late 70’s and still, in some capacity continues today. The ‘rules’ and established ideas conceived for art and design were completely shattered by the postmodernists practice. Suddenly art and design was a lot more self aware than ever before. With this newfound self awareness, postmodernists sought to bring from theatricality, to luxury, to destruction to their artworks. 

A direct rejection of the utopian ideas of the modernists, postmodernists sought dystopian ideas, and rejected the clean cut definitions previously established. 

Examples of Postmodernism

‘Free Me From Freedom’ Poster - Neville Brody 2008

Neville Brody is a postmodernist designer that is notable for his work for Face magazine and album covers for bands such as Cabernet Voltaire, The Bongos and more. Brody works predominantly within the design realm for posters, album covers and art magazines however he also had designed many typefaces including FF Blur, Arcadia, Insignia and more. 

This Poster pictured above was designed in 2008. This poster disrupts the typography standards set at the time for making posters. Heavily contrasting the rigid lines and simple palette of the constructivist period, this poster has an extremely wide colour range due to each part of each letter containing a different colour. This provides a sense of organised chaos with the dark background which in turn enhances the meaning of the words by juxtaposing colour with the serious implication of ‘free me from freedom’. Not only is the colour differentiation aesthetically pleasing, the stacked words ‘Free me From Freedom’, hold equal weight and the rest of the text included in the work makes this work agreeable and visually pleasing. I like this unique use of colour and its effectiveness in catching you eye and providing a unique postmodernist balance.

Sources 

- (No date) Aleksandr Rodchenko. Rechevik. Stikhi (orator. verse). 1929 | moma. Available at: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/16455 (Accessed: 19 April 2024). 

-  eleanorlewisfrostmproy1graphicdesign (2017) Neville Brody, GRAPHIC DESIGN. Available at: https://eleanorlewisfrostmproy1graphicdesign.wordpress.com/2017/02/26/neville-brody/ (Accessed: 19 April 2024). 

-  Gray, L. (2017) Context research, Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/@laurengray1598/context-research-fc46bc36564f (Accessed: 19 April 2024). 

-  Tretyakov G.M., S.A.S./ Третьяков Г. М. (1975) [cover design by rodchenko] rechevik: Stikhi [i.e. orator: Verse] by Tretyakov, S - 1929, Biblio.com.au. Available at: https://biblio.com.au/book/cover-design-rodchenko-rechevik-stikhi-orator/d/938411963 (Accessed: 19 April 2024). 

-  What is postmodernism? · V&A (no date) Victoria and Albert Museum. Available at: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/what-is-postmodernism#:~:text=Postmodern%20designers%20salvaged%20and%20distressed,an%20aesthetic%20of%20urban%20apocalypse.&text=Postmodernism%20had%20begun%20as%20a,everything%20was%20a%20style%20statement. (Accessed: 19 April 2024).