In the early twentieth century artists of all origins ex­plored new forms of expression. Inspired by Western European currents in art, the Russian avant-garde de­veloped a genuinely distinct and revolutionary non-representational visual language. This catalogue demonstrates how influences from the visual arts permeated the medium of photography. Originally a painter, Alexander Rodchenko was one of the most notable artists who devoted himself to the photo­montage at an early phase in his practice. He used his Leica to explore urban life, but not just to capture re­ality. Taken from unusual perspectives, his photographs of striking motifs are characterized by dynamic, ab­stract compositions. El Lissitzky and Georgi Selma also applied artistic strategies to photography. The extension of Suprematism and Constructivism by photographic means becomes evident in this com­parison of avant-garde photographs with works on paper by artists such as Kazimir Malevich.
 

Exhibitions: Opelvillen Rüsselsheim 17.12.2014–8.3.2015 | Kunstmuseum Bochum 22.3.–31.5.2015 | dkw. Kunstmuseum Dieselkraftwerk Cottbus 21.6.–20.9.2015