View of Moscow
Varvara Stepanova—a proponent of «synthetics”—strove to synthesize poetry and graphics, literature/theater, and design. She is known as the „Amazon of the Russian Avant-garde.“
Utilizing Rodchenko’s abstraction, Stepanova developed her own structure of geometric forms, interwoven with poetry and graphic design. She designed posters, magazines, movie posters, created textile prints, and even engineered sportswear.
Poster
Alexander Mikhailovich Rodchenko, Varvara’s husband, was one of the founders of Constructivism and significantly influenced her. She deeply cherished her husband and valued him above art itself. His work and activities often overshadowed his wife, yet she never objected—quite the opposite, she admired him. Rodchenko was part of the faculty at Vkhutemas and developed a two-year required course for all students. Students studied form, volume, light, color, and rhythm in order to become universal artists and design functional objects based on simple forms. This same environment prompted Stepanova toward new explorations.
«Seek your own path and constantly experiment"—the motto of A. Rodchenko
Varvara used the pseudonym «Varst»
She worked on photographs with her husband. «Street Musicians» by V. Stepanova and A. Rodchenko in Kandinsky’s studio.
Stepanova also worked on the set design for the performance «The Death of Tarelkin.»
Of course, theatre (the play) became the foundational concept for synthesizing color, light, and form in space.
Stepanova deconstructed the human figure into geometric shapes: the head became a circle, and the torso, arms, and legs were rendered as rectangles. This provided the foundation for her subsequent designs in apparel.
Some works from the exhibition: «Female Figure,» «Male Figure,» «Two Figures with a Book»
The themes of sports and self-art merge with geometric forms
«In a costume designed for contemporary use, the primary principle emerges: comfort and functionality. There is no costume in isolation—only a costume built for a specific functional purpose.»
Stepanova created clothing for production that was not only sporty and stylish but also comfortable.
Ornament Examples
It is important to note that V. Stepanova sought to represent the scientific progress of her time within geometric ornament. Therefore, her patterns evoke molecules, crystals, and so forth.
Stepanova died in 1958 and dedicated her life to graphics and design for the magazine «USSR on Three.»
Varvara Stepanova
In 2024, the Pushkin Museum opened the exhibition «Friends,» dedicated to the 130th anniversary of Varvara Stepanova. Virtual Tour: https://virtual.arts-museum.ru/data/vtours/stepanova/?lp=1_1&lang=ru
Selected works from the exhibition: «Female Figure, ” „Male Figure, ” „Two Figures with a Book“
«The more inexplicable things in a painting—a 'wonder'—the more impactful it is.»