The artwork titled “And this is standing for centuries” was created by Alexander Rodchenko in 1923. This collage, which is an illustration, was crafted in Moscow, Russian Federation, and is currently housed in the Russian State Library in Moscow, Russia.
The collage presents a complex assembly of images superimposed and arranged in varying sizes and perspectives, giving it a dynamic and visually engaging composition. As Rodchenko was known for his involvement in the avant-garde art world, particularly in Constructivism, the work likely reflects the social and political themes of the early 20th-century Soviet Union. Using a variety of objects and figures, there is an evident theme of industrialization and modernity. The montage includes elements like kitchenware, images of people reflected in mirrors or glass, a central figure that appears to be a political figure possibly giving a speech or presentation, and smaller scenes depicting laborers and urban environments.
The use of text in Cyrillic script reinforces the connection to Rodchenko’s Russian cultural and social context, and it incorporates the concept of ‘word-image’ that was significant in the propaganda art of the time. Strong contrasts, a sense of depth created by overlapping images, and a collage technique of cutting and pasting various photographs and objects together characterize Rodchenko’s approach.
Overall, the artwork seems to convey messages about the Soviet society during the 1920s, highlighting aspects of work, politics, and the transformation of the urban landscape, all with a sense of motion and progress, which were central themes of the Constructivist movement and the cultural revolution in post-revolution Russia.
