Comments on: Sunday photo: Rodchenko’s portrait of Lilya Brik

By: Matt McGrattan

Matt McGrattan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:27:49 +0000

I missed the constructivist exhibition at the Tate, but I did go to the big Rodchenko solo show at the Hayward, last year.

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/minisites/rodchenko/

I found it slightly disappointing. Some of the photography is stunning, but the prints themselves are not. The collage/photomontage originals were great, though. I’d had no idea how small and shoddy [in a charming way] they’d looked when compared to the finished reproductions.

By: Richard J

Richard J — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:40:35 +0000

OK, playing the depressing game you can do with early revolutionary figures, having a husband get shot, and being physically crossed off a list of those to be shot, is about par for the course, isn’t it?

By: Ginger Yellow

Ginger Yellow — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:10:46 +0000

It wasn’t anything about books as books that was particularly important, it was the need to get the state-run economy going

But Lengiz has books in every field of knowledge! That must be good for the betterment of the proletariat.

By: Ginger Yellow

Ginger Yellow — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:00:48 +0000

Knigi!

So, did the Brits here go to the constructivism exhibition at the Tate? I loved it. But I’m a sucker for early 20th century Russian art and design. Death to wallpaper!

By: alex

alex — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:39 +0000

Always interesting to see what one reads into an image. “Optimism and vigour”… or maybe she’s yelling ‘Show us yer arse!’ Which is a different kind of optimism and vigour, I’ll grant.

By: purplish

purplish — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:26:52 +0000

What was the exact date that Americans accepted propaganda being used against them as if they are an enemy to mislead rather than liberated citizens to inspire?

By: Keir

Keir — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:52:35 +0000

Yep. Art at the service of the Revolution, via consumption.

(It wasn’t anything about books as books that was particularly important, it was the need to get the state-run economy going. See also cigarettes, Musselprom, matches, anything pretty much.)

(Not entirely sure if that’s fair in this case, some of this stuff was political, but an awful lot was straight-up Madison Ave style advertising.)

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:43:27 +0000

YEAH!

Actually, isn’t the Rodchenko version an advert for BOOKS?

By: kid bitzer

kid bitzer — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:04:12 +0000

nice teeth. i miss having teeth.

By: Chris Bertram

Chris Bertram — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:54:32 +0000

That’s right – just google Rodchenko to see the speech-bubble version.

By: belle le triste

belle le triste — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:51:27 +0000

I always think of this picture complete with speech bubble—is that because it’s used as part of a Constructivist collage at some point which has one, or did I just draw one in in my head?