(Also known as Red October or the Bolsheviks Revolution)
The October Revolution overthrew the Russian Government and gave the power to the local soviets dominated by the Bolsheviks. Social, economic, and political relations had become a major crisis in Russia and industrial production declined dramatically resulting in strikes from all trades. This was also due to the expense of living increasing whereas the workers pay had decreased by almost a half.
'October' (10 days that shook the world) directed by Sergie Eisenstein in 1927
This film was commisioned by the government as a celebratory dramatization of the 1917 October Revolution. Throughout the film, there are numerous symbolic references, some of which are as follows:
- Rich, wealthy lifestyle
Smashing the bottles
Getting rid of their luxuries
- Everyone now has a share of wealth
- Kid on throne symbolises a new dawn
- Symbolises the ideology of the monarchy
- Clocks
Revolution has impact all over the world
- All countries are uniting in common interest
Art in Russia
- Art in Russia previous to the revolution was there to glorify
- Propaganda
Deceptive/manipulated views
Spreading of communism
There to educate
- The colour red
Symbolises revolutionary struggle
Blood of the oppressed
Associated with communism
1917 to mid 1920s - Intense Artistic Experimentation
- Aesthetic innocation
- Russia 'jumped' 5 stages of cultural development
- Faiths in technology and industry
- Workers would not be the subject of art prior to the revolution
- Machine & industrial aeshetic
Late 1920s onwards - Socialist Realism (Lenin)
- Art practice banned
Too 'new'
Similar to capitalist west
Progressive avant garde culture
- Negative sense of propaganda
- Exploiting communist culture
- Cult of a leader
- Regulated and controlled
- Unified
- Avant garde artists had to flee
El Lissitzky - 'Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge'
Defines moment of revolution. Red wedge represents this pinacle moment and suggests them (Bolsheviks) leading the way for others to follow. Aforementioned, the colour red symbolises their revolutionary struggle and communism itself.
Rodchenko - 'Books' poster
Commisioned to be put outside libraries to encourage participation in literature (self education). Photography was a new process at this time and photomontage was an emerging technique. The woman represents the working class and suggests everyone is equal.
Photomontage
- Pioneered during this time
- Combines photography and design
- Mass production was important to constructivists
Cheap
New process
Constructivists
- Constructing the future - a new world
- Deemed art as aeshetic experimented which influenced the modern age
- Their aim was to '... achieve the communistic expression of material structures'.
