Constructivism

Constructivism is a Russian movement and focused more on the composition and abstract qualities of marks. 'Objects were to be created not in order to express beauty, or the artists outlook, or to represent the world, but to carry out a fundamental analysis of the materials and forms of art', the interpretation of this movement was to create and symbolise a meaning or feeling through the use of simple colours and shapes within a composition.

This movement was introduced within the 20th century, when the 'Bolsheviks' came to power within the October revolution 1971, it was inspired by other abstract movements like 'Cubism, Suprematism and Futurism'. It was primarily an approach within art for social change.

From being introduced to several artists of this movement I found the compositions and arrangement of colour and shape that created a meaning or symbol interesting. Kazimir Malevich was part of this Constructivism movement, however, Malevich created his own ideas and perception of painting and named it 'Suprematism', he created this because he believed, 'the truth of shape and colour should reign 'supreme' over the image or narrative'. For Malevich his main style was the use of geometric shapes like triangles, circles and squares to create his compositions and he used these to portray his views, beliefs and the relationship between each mark/shape. I find this abstract approach to create an image interesting as it questions the viewer about what these shapes actually mean and the fact these simple shapes could have a significant meaning creates a unique interpretation. Another reason why I found Malevich an interesting artist is because his 'Suprematism' idea also included the fact that these images create several different meanings, 'at the same time that his Suprematist compositions proclaimed that paintings were composed of flat, abstract areas of paint, they also served up powerful and multi-layered symbols and mystical feelings of time and space.' Although the actual painted shapes are flat on the page, they are still said to create a layered surface due to the various meanings these images and compositions are portraying and the fact these can mean different things to different people depending on their view of abstract art and what they see within the image.

All of these shapes placed and arranged on the page each have a significant meaning, Malevich uses these to tell a story or show an idea. I find the use of simplistic, primary colours within this image interesting because both the colours and shape are simple, however the meaning could be very important and significant. Malevich's concept of art and the ways he works has inspired me within my project and the fact I can be more geometric and abstract with my mark making, turning something detailed into a more simplistic image but both having the same meaning.