Describe the similarities and differences between suprematism and constructivism. There is no prescribed word count; you just need to show that you understand the movements broadly.
For each of these movements, find examples from their eras, and then two contemporary designs you think are influenced by these styles.
Explain, in your own words, how you can see the influence of suprematism and constructivism in these modern-day designs.
Suprematism was first used in 1913 by the russian Kazimir Malevich. This art movement consisted mainly of basic geometric shapes and forms including; lines, rectangles, circles, the cross, and squares, and made use of a limited range of colors. Suprematism did not rely on any realistic images but was rather an abstract art. In a book written by Malevich himself “The Non-Objective World“, he explains that the term Suprematism is a reference based upon “the supremacy of pure artistic feeling rather than on visual depiction of objects”.
Suprematism was a movement that was influenced by Futurism and Cubism.
Examples:
Constructivism was another artistic movement that originated in Moscow, Russia by Vladimir Tatlin and got most of its ideas from Suprematism, Cubism, and Futurism. Although constructivism used mainly geometrical shapes and forms as well, it was more about creating art that mattered constructing useful, artistic objects, and getting rid of the idea of “creating art for art’s sake”. Constructivism wanted to construct abstract works for the benefit of the social cause instead of just leaving them as paintings. So the only difference is primarily more ideological, rather than aesthetic.
Examples:
In modern art, we tend to give more meaning to our designs and always aim to convey a message. Pure suprematism art can still be found in modern art, but it is usually combined with other elements or used as abstract art in graphic design. We also use a more wide and vibrant color palette instead of limiting the choices we have.
A few examples of Suprematism art I could find:
Some modern design is heavily inspired by Constructivism as well as the use of it in protest or propaganda-inspired posters.
A lot of Constructivism-inspired art consists of collages and a mix of different patterns, photography elements, and abstract art.
Constructivism greatly influenced the De Stijl and the Bauhaus movements and we still see its effects on objects nowadays. IKEA Home Furnishings for example has a lot in common with Constructivism’s principles.
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