Russian Revolution Research Paper

Following the revolutionary year of 1917, Russian society was caught in a whirlwind of social change that affected every aspect of society. This included art, in which during 1917 to the mid nineteen twenties a new art movement entitled constructivism was established. Constructivism spurned a new approach to art that concerned itself with the construction of a work for a purpose instead of creating a composition. Constructivism took analytical approach to art, allowing art to have a purpose in a society that would be able to deliver the utopian world that the February and October revolutions had promised. I will argue that constructivism was an avant-garde movement whose ideologies were underlined by those of the Bolshevik; a doctrine of …show more content…
To many Russians ignoring this mentality was impossible and their lives became entwined in the political struggle following World War I. Like other Russians artists also began to a desire to overturn the bourgeoisie class. In John Milner’s book Vladimir Tatlin and the Russian Avant-Garde, Milner examines the leading constructivist artists Vladimir Tatlin. He documents his entire artistic life, including his pre and post constructivist works. Starting even before the revolution Milner argues that Tatlin too became distrustful of the bourgeoisie class. In an artistic move Tatlin then chose to abandon bourgeoisie materials. In creating constructivism, an art movement dedication to the proletariat, this meant the discontinuation of marble and bronze. Milner introduces that Tatlin began to work with “more tangible materials” as a way to study the new material world. In doing so, the constructivist chose their materials from a non-elitist class, wholly rejecting not only the subject but the material of pre-revolutionary art in …show more content…
To demonstrate, Lodder presents how constructivist also used textile and clothes designs to further their artistic movement in the Russian culture. Constructivism did not only concern itself with creating superstructures but was also able to affect Russian society on a small scale. In creating clothes the constructivists’ works could serve the people of Russia. Lodder demonstrates this notion of function for the Soviet through a coat designed by Tatlin. The coat was made to be used all year around, fitted with removable linings for the warmer seasons, pockets, and free from a restriction of movement. What Tatlin’s coat demonstrates is the ability for constructivism to not only drive the intellectual changes that are prevalent in the society, but, also serves as functional objects for a worker to use on a daily basis. Both Lodder and Milner demonstrate constructivism served the proletariat. For Milner, constructivism could serve as a way to drive social change in the new Russian society. Lodder agrees, but also demonstrates how simple objects could also have a practical use for the new modern Russian worker. Nevertheless, constructivism sought an intellectual approach to art concerned with the implications that their art would have on their society at large. Together, these authors

Show More