Bookvica

Malye formy klubnogo zrelishcha [i.e. Small Forms of Club Spectacle] #1 and #8 for 1929

Item #1500

#1
Moscow: Trud i kniga, 1929. 64 pp.: ill. 26x17,5 cm. In original illustrated wrappers.
Very good, spine and tears of covers restored. One of 5000 copies.
#8
Moscow: Trud i kniga, 1929. 64 pp.: ill. 26x17,5 cm. In original illustrated wrappers.
Very good, spine and tears of covers restored. One of 3100 copies.

One of the repertoire collections compiled and published by the agitprop theater organization “Blue Blouse” for its provincial branches, as well as local vaudeville theaters and living newspapers (1928–1929). The edition was later replaced with a magazine “Za agitbrigadu i tram” (1931–1932).
The “Blue Blouse” rallied the agitprop theater collectives between 1923 and 1933, promoting revolutionary art and contraposing the professional stage. By 1927, there were 5000 troupes with more than 100 000 actors involved. They performed on the streets during celebrations, and organized shows at factories and clubs. Gradually, most Soviet factories of the period had their own collectives inspired by the “Blue Blouse”, whose principles they followed.
All the printed matter of the organization – the magazine “Siniaia bluza”, the periodical collections “Malye formy klubnogo zrelishcha”, and the advertising posters – were designed in the constructivist style and were illustrated with photographs of collectives in impressive poses, photomontages, and costume designs.
Description of issue #1:   
This issue contains three photomontages in total. Two of them depict performers during spectacles about the Red Army, while the last page features a photomontage design relating to a 1928 repertoire collection combining pictures of some Blue Blouse collectives.
The issue published a picture of six performers who posed together to make with their bodies the shape of an anchor. There are also other group photographs of Moscow blue-blousists. Among them is an uncommon photograph (for Blue Blouse periodicals) depicting a performance on stage also showing a full hall of spectators (usually only performers only were shown).
The designs of national clothes by the artist Dani (caricaturist Daniil Smirnov), relating to the performance “Songs of the Peoples of the USSR”, also feature. To create minimalist costumes, Blue Blouse collectives used considerable imagination and might produce almost everything from cardboard and cheap fabrics. The costume designs of Russian, Ukrainian, Jewish, Georgian, Kyrgyz, Crimean Tatar and Samoyedic woman are demonstrated. Some pages of sheet music are also reproduced.
Satirical verses and songs of the repertoire were written on relevant topics, criticizing the enemies of socialist ideology or otherwise promoting Soviet values. The back cover advertises how to subscribe to the publication and to the magazine. “Radioliubitel” [Radio Enthusiast].
Worldcat does not track this issue.
Description of issue #8:   
Striking anniversary issue of the repertoire collections compiled and published by the agitprop theater organization, “Blue Blouse”, for its provincial branches, as well as local vaudeville theaters and living newspapers (1928–1929). It was replaced by the magazine, “Za agitbrigadu i tram” (1931–1932).
There were ten Moscow groups divided by category: Basic, General, Central, Industrial, Producing, Operative, Variety Stage, Concert, Music Hall, and Tenth. Group photographs of these groups by Debabov and Usov are published in this issue along with photomontages. The last page lists all the Moscow collectives and credits all authors, directors, artists and composers who worked with the groups mentioned. At the center of the page is printed a constructivist alternative version of the logo.
In total, the issue comprises seven photomontages. An impressive photomontage on the back wrapper combines photographs of a magazine, a montaged performer carrying a small advertising poster, and a slogan written in the constructivist style, “Whenever and Wherever, Lead in One Direction – Ask a Blue Blouse for a Club”. This design was produced by the artist Kviring. There is also a picture of a group, “Variety Stage”, carrying sheets of paper with the lettering “We’ll Surpass”, the line of black sheets with white lettering montaged three times. The first performance featured in this collection was “Voluntary Societies” about the organizations “Avtodor”, “Aviakhim”, “Bezbozhniki”, “Doloi negramotnost”, and “Drug detei”. The text ends with a photomontage advertising poster featuring a performer adorned with a model airplane on his face and torso, and a newspaper, “Blue Blouse”, mounted on his back. The picture of this man is repeated five times diagonally across the page. Another photograph of this performer illustrates the text, “Voluntary Societies”, alongside two impressive costume designs.
One of the Blue Blouse advertising posters is also reproduced, showcasing a photomontage of pictures of the “Variety Stage” group.
The publication also shows issues of the magazine, “Siniaia bluza”, with a form of the Blue Blouse’s logo; a false mirror photograph of two performers; a drawing of a costume design for “Character of Satirical Choir” by Petr Galadzhiev and many other curious illustrations.
The title page marks six years of activity of the organization and features two logos: the Blue Blouse and the Central Administration of State Circuses; from September 1929 this organ co-ordinated all the Blue Blouse collectives in Moscow.
Worldcat does not track this edition.

Price: $4,500.00