Constructivists Publish Their Manifesto in Lef

Constructivism’s manifesto espoused the belief that art should directly reflect the modern industrial world: “The material formation of the object is to be substituted for its aesthetic combination. The object is to be treated as a whole and thus will be of no discernible ‘style’ but simply a product of an industrial order like a car, an aeroplane and such like. Constructivism is a purely technical mastery and organisation of materials.” Constructivism emphasized the integration of art and technology, seeking to create practical, functional objects that embodied the principles of modern industrial society. These ideas would also prove hugely influential to the Bauhaus. Tatlin aimed to bridge the gap between art and everyday life, embracing materials such as metal, glass, and other industrial materials. Constructivism focused on the notion of art as a social and political force for change, emphasizing collective creativity and the importance of utility and construction.