At the early 20th century, modern art in Russia flourished alongside other art movements in Europe. The wave of revolutionary art includes many distinct yet closely related art movements such as Rayonism, Suprematism, Constructivism and Russian Furturism. Many radical ideas came together and manifestos were published, which started a revolutionary advancement in contemporary art.
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Rayonism ( 1911-1914 )
Rayonism was established in 1911 by pioneering artists of the time, Mikhail Larionov and Natalia Goncharova, partners in life and art who became acquainted when they met at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. The concept of Rayonism, like its name emphasized on rays of reflecting lights, dynamic movements and energy was largely was drawn from Russian Futurism which was inspired by technology, movement and modernization. Rayonism reflected the development of the scientific and metaphysics, the discovery of x-ray that lead to the reinforcement of the conceptual belief of the fourth dimension, the concept of faktura was also embraced by Suprematist and Constructivist. Furthermore, Larionov and Goncharova were closely involved with various groups of artists, which partially contributed to their inspiration for art and were also founding members of Jack of Diamonds and Donkey's Tail, both names which Larionov coined.
The movement was short-lived as the duo departed to Paris and focused more on designing for Diaghilev's Ballet Russe productions where their change in style could be observed in their scenery and costume design. However, Larionov and Goncharova had major influence of the development of contemporary art in Russia, especially subsequent movements that flourished after them, such as Suprematism and Constructivism.
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Suprematism ( 1913 - late 1920s )
It was in the year 1915 that the seminal painting of the Black Square was created by Kasimir Malevich, which he claimed to be " the face of new art ", it was also the year when Suprematism was introduced as an art movement. The structure of Suprematism paintings focused more on the essence of art rather than the realistic depiction of an object itself and was reduced to simple elementary shapes and geometrical lines. In Malevich's early works, he experimented with various style and approach to art such as, Peasant Woman with Buckets and a Child (1912) which was Cubistic and Expressionistic, On the Boulevard on the other hand was influenced by Fauvism before abandoning any form of realism and perspective and ventured on to abstract art. Malevich started off by limiting his colours to basic monochrome colours, black, white, grey and red, but later when he moved on to more complex compositions, his colour pallete expanded too. In the same year, Malevich published a manifesto on Suprematism and alongside other artist, exhbited in The Last Futurist Exhibition of Paintings 0.10, in St. Petersburg in their unique contemporary abstract style.
Malevich geometrical abstraction 100 years later, today, is still as modern and is still appreciated today. The concept and style of geometrical basic design still exist today, especially in graphic designs and architecture, built upon the idea of supreme simplicity of art by Malevich.
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Constructivism ( 1915 - late 1930s )
Founded by Vladmir Tatlin and and Alexander Rodchenko around the same time Suprematism was born, Constuctivism was a largely influential art movement that spread across the continent quickly. As it was established after the first world war, the idea of unity and order was desired for peace and amity, bringing people to a common understanding. Constructivists believed that art should be reflected in mass produced products and objects that serve the people, no longer is art created for beauty nor the artist subjective expression of things, but rather to have " construct" object which serve a practical social purpose. Tatlin was inspired by Picasso's relief construction after his visit to Paris but Constructivism was not truly formed until the Monument for the Third International was exhibited in 1919-20. Constructivism expanded to other fields of arts, in architecture, literature, cinema and even photography. Several Constructivists even conducted lectures at Bauhaus in Germany. El Lissitsky was also responsible for expanding the influence of the Soviet art movement beyond Russia. Lissitsky got in contact with leaders and artists of other forms of art such as the Dutch group De Stijl and exchange thoughts and ideas as together, they took part in The Congress of International Progressive Artists [Kongress der Union Internationaler Fortschrittlicher Künstler].
The Constructivism art movement was closely intertwined with politics at the time, supporting post-October revolution Bolshevik government, therefore the radical avant-garde art movement was shut down abruptly around 1930s after the death of Lenin and the turnover of political power to Stalin bureaucratic regime and was replaced by Socialist Realism.
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