The artwork titled “Mayakovsky smiles, laughs, mocks” by Alexander Rodchenko was created in 1923, in Moscow, Russian Federation. It is a poster employing a strong typographic composition.
The poster features bold Cyrillic text in alternating lines of red and green. The text translates to “Mayakovsky smiles, laughs, mocks”, and it is set against a textured, off-white background. Each line of text is of a different size and aligned differently, creating a dynamic rhythm across the page. The words seem to leap out, suggesting a sense of movement or perhaps reflecting the outspoken and energetic character of the poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, whom the text references. Rodchenko’s design embodies the futurist movement’s aesthetic and Constructivist ideals, emphasizing the visual impact of printed words and the use of language as a form of art. The distinct colors and bold lines make it a striking example of avant-garde Russian graphic design from the early 20th century.
