Analysis of Alexander Rodchenko's Photographs

Alexander Rodchenko was a Russian revolutionary artist, both politically and aesthetically. He was a famous sculptor, graphic designer, artist and photographer, who lived from 1891 until 1956. From 1907 to 1914, Rodchenko studied painting at the Kazan School of Art. In 1915, he moved to Moscow where he worked as an independent painter and designer. His industrial, Soviet art was art realism. 

He is famous for his range of using of foreshortening and non-vertical camera angles became trademark techniques. His photographs are always in black and white. His distinctive features include sharp angles from above or from below, known as Rodchenko angles after his famous significance of angles. Rodchenko uses black and white to contrast the patterns. The patterns will always contrast the picture. Patterns portray suspense and photographs may have patterns. Patterns in his work include line-art, polka dots, shadowing and stripes. He uses a range of different camera angles, but he is most famous for his High angle and Long-shot photos. He composes his photos of an abstract scene with a subject, and patterns to compliment it. His artwork creates a mood of suspense and creates a dramatic approach. His work expresses ideas of the constructivist events in Russia. His work is about design, constructism and design. His photography is sort of part of a sequence as his photography is a line of influenced-based patterns and contrast. Geometric shapes, daring lines and aggressive brushstrokes featured mainly in his compositions as well as finding different mediums too.In this photo, Rodchenko tilts the photo at a high angle with a still Pan position. The arrangement of composition shows a woman, crossing her legs while sitting on a dull bench. The lighting in this photo is natural, while also using a Monochrome camera to take the picture. Some areas in the photo have more darker shades than others such as the woman’s coat and the bench. No editing has been used in this photo. The colour choice and mood portrays a melancholic and a disconsolate feeling when looking at the picture. The picture was taken at the time of the war, so Russia was portrayed to be more war-based. 

In this photo, Rodchenko tilts the photo at a low angle with a tilt position, drawing attention to the inventiveness of  background. The subject is of a guard standing watch at the Shukov Tower and the arrangement of composition shows the guard is standing straight. The lighting in this photo is natural which has a dull texture also using a monochrome camera to take the photo and the figure of the guard stands in contrast to the light. The innovative diagonals of the metal lattice criss-cross the frame behind the guard, while the curving light beams across the image. This photo was taken at a time of war as the guard is in war uniform. The mood for this photo is melancholic as the expression on the guard’s face shows sorrow.

In Moscow, Rodchenko was influenced by the key figures of the Russian avant-garde movement, Vladimir Tatlin and Kazimir Malevich. He made his first conceptual drawing, suggestive of Malevich's Suprematist pieces, in 1915. Through his colleagues with liberal scholars, for example, the Futurists David Burliuk and Vasily Kamensky, Rodchenko ended up in the core of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. In later years, his work was inspired by his work in illustration and commercial designs. His photographs are based on Russian government campaigns aswell. Rodchenko started his first piece in 1915. In 1920, he started his piece inspired more into constructivism and embraced design over painting a year later. It intertwines with politics and war. He was flexible with sculpture and architect. In 1923, “Better pacifiers” was a poster he embodies his switch from aesthetics into purpose and continued those for a few years. He then shifted his focus as he fell out of favour with the communist party becoming outlawed. In 1930, “steps” was published with a whole new composition of lights and shadows which is contrasted by a mother and child. He was also able to shift his work back to the poster politics and war while also keeping elements of photography composition“Our duty is to experiment.” - Alexander Rodchenko. I love this quote as it shows to take risks and to be bold in whatever you are doing. In my opinion, I love Rodchenko’s work as it has a valid meaning and also looks very professional. His portrayal of his photography photos are outstanding. The topic of fragments relates to his art pieces as they include compositions such as shapes, lines, angles and lighting to fit into the fragments category.