Productivism (art)
Productivism is an early twentieth-century art movement that is characterized by its spare geometry, limited color palette, and Cubist and Futurist influences. Aesthetically, it also looks similar to work by Kazimir Malevich and the Suprematists.
"The Sportsmen" by Kazimir Malevich, 1929-30. | |
| Country | Russia |
|---|---|
| Major figures | Aleksei Gan, Alexander Rodchenko, Varvara Stepanova |
| Influences | Russian folk art, Arts and Crafts movement, Cubism, Futurism Constructivism |
| Influenced | Bauhaus and De Stijl |
But where Constructivism sought to reflect modern industrial society and urban space and Suprematism sought to create "anti-materialist, abstract art that originated from pure feeling," Productivism's goal was to create accessible art in service to the proletariat, with artists functioning more like "engineers ... than easel painters."
"We declare uncompromising war on art!" Aleksei Gan wrote in a 1922 manifesto. Alexander Rodchenko, Varvara Stepanova, Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitzky, Liubov Popova, and others similarly renounced pure art in favor of serving society, a resolution born of extensive discussion and debate at the Moscow-based Institute of Artistic Culture (INKhUK), the Society of Young Artists, journals of the day and organizations like Higher State Artistic and Technical Workshops (VKhUTEMAS) all of whom agreed on the need for a radical break from the "critical and material radicalization of Constructivism."