Popova, Lyubov ( 1889-1929) - 1918 Painterly Architectonic
"Tate Modern’s Rodchenko & Popova: Defining Constructivism looks at art in Russia c.1917-25 through the work of two of the country’s leading artists. The exhibition brings together over 350 works.
After the Bolsheviks seized power in October 1917 Russia’s artists, writers and musicians were swept into the task of transforming their society into the first Communist State. Amongst others, Rodchenko and Popova pioneered a new art for this revolution. As part of the Constructivist movement they rejected ideas of illusory representation, believing instead that only the universal language of abstract form could truly put art at the service of the people. Further, for the first time a new sexual equality was born; men and women played an equal role in society and the simple pairing by the Tate of works by a man and a woman (who weren’t lovers) eloquently displays how the quality and themes of the two artists’ works were indistinguishable. This exhibition also demonstrates the way these two artists were ultimately lead away from fine art into design and from there to architecture, film, print, propaganda and advertising posters, clothing and theatre design. Among the convictions of the Constructivists was equality in all of its manifestations."
Popova, Lyubov ( 1889-1929) - 1918 Painterly Architectonic
"Tate Modern’s Rodchenko & Popova: Defining Constructivism looks at art in Russia c.1917-25 through the work of two of the country’s leading artists. The exhibition brings together over 350 works.
After the Bolsheviks seized power in October 1917 Russia’s artists, writers and musicians were swept into the task of transforming their society into the first Communist State. Amongst others, Rodchenko and Popova pioneered a new art for this revolution. As part of the Constructivist movement they rejected ideas of illusory representation, believing instead that only the universal language of abstract form could truly put art at the service of the people. Further, for the first time a new sexual equality was born; men and women played an equal role in society and the simple pairing by the Tate of works by a man and a woman (who weren’t lovers) eloquently displays how the quality and themes of the two artists’ works were indistinguishable. This exhibition also demonstrates the way these two artists were ultimately lead away from fine art into design and from there to architecture, film, print, propaganda and advertising posters, clothing and theatre design. Among the convictions of the Constructivists was equality in all of its manifestations."