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The following collection of works by Alexander Rodchenko (lots 290-360) were produced by the photographer from 1928-1932 in preparation for the book Two Moscows. This book was intended to combine Rodchenko's photographs of the "New Moscow" with a series of caricature drawings of "Old Moscow", by the celebrated caricaturists Mikhail Kupriianov, Porfirii and Nikolai Sokolov, better known as "Kukryniksy". The book, commissioned in 1933 by IZOGIZ (State Publishing House of Fine Arts), was to be designed by Varvara Stepanova. The prints in the "New Moscow" series were produced during Rodchenko's most active period as a photographer. In 1928 he had joined the October Association, founding its photography section in 1930. Two years later, he was expelled from the group on the grounds that his work had moved too far from pure photojournalism towards formalism - his unusual perspectives and altered camera angles were condemned as removing the images from their context, reality and purpose as documentation. In 1932 Rodchenko began to work for the IZOGIZ as a photo correspondent and began photographing the city of Moscow and other areas of the USSR. The power and immediacy of this series was acheived by his replacement of his Sept camera with a smaller, faster Leica model. Many of the prints in the group display detailed highlighting for reproduction purposes on the surface. All of the prints are annotated 'Two Moscows - final version' in Russian and the majority are stamped with one of the following four Rodchenko credit stamps on the verso.

ALEXANDER RODCHENKO

Mayday Demonstration on Miasnitskaia Street, 1932

Details

ALEXANDER RODCHENKO
Mayday Demonstration on Miasnitskaia Street, 1932
gelatin silver print
annotated 'Two Moscows - final' in Russian and printer's notations in ink and graphite pencil (on the verso)
11 5/8 x 8in. (29.5 x 20.3cm.) framed

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Christie's interest in property consigned for sale. Christie's generally offers property consigned by others for sale at public auction. From time to time, lots are offered which Christie's International Plc or one of it's subsidiary companies owns in whole or in part. Each such lot is offered subject to a reserve. This is such a lot This lot is offered without reserve.

Lot Essay

Lots 290-360 will be sold without reserve

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