Wendingen Possibly 1921 - 1923

Editor: Here we have "Wendingen," a print, collage, and typographic work on paper created by El Lissitzky, likely between 1921 and 1923. At first glance, the piece feels like a deconstructed blueprint. With the geometric shapes floating on the page, I can't help but ask, what’s your interpretation? Curator: Oh, I'm drawn to its graphic punch, how Lissitzky's shapes seem to both float and fight for space. He masterfully marries art and propaganda – I almost feel as though these shapes want to persuade me of something. "Wendingen," interestingly, was a Dutch architectural journal, and Lissitzky designed this cover. Isn’t it fascinating how he merges the principles of Constructivism with graphic design? Editor: Absolutely. The way the text "Wendingen" is incorporated diagonally into the composition is pretty striking. Curator: Right? Almost as if it is skewering the rest of the composition. Also notice how much negative space there is around the geometric elements – like letting the work breathe, letting the message find its audience. Don't you think there’s a kind of quiet dynamism in play? Like a silent revolution. Editor: A silent revolution... I like that! I hadn't really considered it that way. So it’s not just about the shapes, but what they’re *not* saying, too? Curator: Precisely. Lissitzky's trying to do something with language and form that transcends a mere description – I would say it enters into a zone of feeling. Editor: I see it now; the restraint gives it power. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Every time I look at Lissitzky's work, I feel like I’m embarking on a new thought. The essence of great art, really!