Page 32 - Studio International - April 1966

Constructivism-the European phenomenon

by Anthony Hill

Some basic themes, recurrent throughout the European movements (Constructivism to Nouvelle Tendence):
mathematical and engineering influence; non-volumic linear and planar structures;
elements, orthogonal or curvilinear; architectonic/centrifugal space concepts; uniform repeated structures.

Tatlin Counter-relief
Metal sheet c.1917
Tatlin visited Picasso in 1913.
Returning to Russia he
commenced making abstract
reliefs. These works mark the
beginning of Constructivism
and date from 1913.
Right
A view of the first Obmokhu
(Society of Young Artists)
exhibition Moscow 1920.
A much-reproduced photo
(Kandinsky, Arp, and
Lissitzky etc)

Balla Sculpture Wood, tin and twine c. 1915 Picasso Violin Rodchenko Hanging Construction 1920
During the years 1909-15 the Futurist Balla Construction in painted metal, Paris 1914 In contrast to the reliefs and straight-line structures,
made isolated works, daring and original, which One of the most abstract of the constructions the hanging structures of Rodchenko initiated
prefigured many directions that were to follow. Picasso made between 1912-4. It was another theme which constantly reappears up to the
painters rather than sculptors who first took present day, treated both in a linear or planar way.
the lead in abandoning traditional concepts
and materials.

It is much easier to say what constructivism was than convenient to use the war years as a demarcation between
what it is. From 1920 onwards individuals have styled epochs the problems now concern developments in that
themselves `constructivist' and between then and the end twenty-year period, but nothing approaching a definitive
of the thirties international constructivism existed as a move- study of the origins and continuation of constructivism
ment, or a covering term for a channel of movements and has yet been attempted, although any serious appraisal
manifestations. of events that deals with constructivism since the war
From the middle thirties we see the beginning of a drive must rest on a detailed account of the preceding epoch.
to summarize the events from 1920 onwards; more re- One way to by-pass a synoptic account is to study and
cently this drive has become increasingly evident as the evaluate the work of individuals associated with construc-
immediate past passes into history. tivism, and at this present moment two exhibitions
The broad picture of events in the inter-war years has have been circulating in Europe, retrospective exhibi-
been presented often enough in general studies, and more tions of El Lissitzky and Naum Gabo (the Gabo has been
specialized accounts have appeared since 1945. As it is seen in London, but unfortunately the Lissitzky hasn't).