Tatlin, Vladimir Evgrafovich

Tatlin, Vladimir Evgrafovich . (1885–1953). Ukranian painter and sculptor. Influenced by Cubism and Futurism he became one of the main protagonists of Constructivism from 1913. His project (only realized as a large model) for a monument to the Third International (1919–20) consisted of a steel double-helical structure over 400 metres high, with rotating glass buildings containing administrative, legislative, and propaganda facilities for the Komintern. Intended as a symbol of progress and technology (based on images of fairground structures and oil-derricks, and painted bright red), this proposal became a paradigm for architects such as Leonidov, El Lissitzky, and Vesnin, and was admired in avant-garde circles in the West. It has also been a potent image for those associated with Deconstructivism.

Bibliography

Andersen (ed.) (1968);
J. Harten (ed.) (1993);
Milner (1983);
Placzek (ed.) (1982);
Punina & and Rakitin (1994);
Strigalev & J. Harten (eds.) (1993);
Jane Turner (1996);
Zhadova (ed.) (1988)