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[VARVARA STEPANOVA] Smena [i.e. Shift] #4, 9, 19 for 1931

Moscow: Molodaia gvardiia, 1931. Item #1580

33x24,5 cm. In original illustrated wrappers.
#4: Rubbed, bottom of spine lost, small hole in blank part of back cover (ad on rear side affected), some soiling of covers, pencil note on back cover, otherwise very good and clean internally.
#9: Spine slightly chipped, covers lightly soiled, pencil note on back cover, otherwise very good and clean internally.
#19: Spine rubbed, with small tears, some soiling of covers, color pencil note on front cover, rusty stains around staple, otherwise very good and clean pages.
Extremely rare early issues of Literary, Art and Popular Science Biweekly of Working Youth. Being an organ of the Russian Communist Youth League from 1924, the periodical was devoted to enthusiasm and persistence of young socialist workers. It has come out throughout the Soviet era and even later.
Designs of two issues were created by notable constructivist artist Varvara Stepanova (1894-1958). She used pictures provided by photographers Elizaveta Ignatovich (#4) and Boris Ignatovich (#19). Both siblings worked for Soyuzfoto organization and were members of an avant-garde group ‘October’. In particular, for the Soyuzfoto they formed the Ignatovich brigade, including their youngest sister Olga as well. Issue #9 was designed by constructivist duo A. Druzhkov and Efim Mezhbarg (1912-1942). Together with Druzhkov and independently, Mezhbarg contributed to early Soviet book design. In this cover design, pictures by Iu. Druzheliubov were published.
The major topic of No.4 was the 9th Congress of the Russian Communist Youth League and it published photomontage propaganda posters exhibited in case of the event. The issue also contains fascinating criticism of avant-garde architect Ivan Leonidov. In 1929-1930, he was battered in the press and then was forced to leave VKHUTEMAS. “​​Leonidov is passionate about form, not thinking of the advisability of projects. He isn’t interested whether it is possible to bring projects into life. If there is no suitable material, let them invent it. His method of creativity is curious. Oh, his designs are elegant, original and… non-objective. Take some glass, eggshells, paper, glue, some super-genius ideas and, please, everything required is ready. Here is a city, here is a club, here is a factory. Phenomenal, amazing, brilliant, revolutionary! Now, just try to build this phenomenon: there are no materials, no means. But that doesn’t interest him. Do you feel sounds of lordly disdain breaking out from under the leftism? Our reality is so grandiose that we can afford not to fantasize. So let’s fight against non-objective art”. The article is illustrated with Leonidov’s two projects: Competitive design of a monument to Columbus, as well as a living quarter in Magnitogorsk.
Issue No. 9 is devoted to collectivization and a seeding campaign in kolkhoz “Gigant” (Stavropol Province). In summer, the Sal steppes (Southern Russia) burn out from the sun and turn into a semi-desert. Only feather grass and wormwood grow there. In 1928, Soviet authorities offered to establish a giant kolkhoz there, close to Molokan communities. According to articles, an abundance of agricultural machinery was sent there. Pictures feature pioneers removing snow from a tractor and another tractor (or the same?) encircled by peasants. Next to these photos, the third one shows lots of plows but they might be drawn by horses, not tractors. One article is written on construction of the Kharkiv Tractor Works. Illustrations display a roof building, a foundry on the inside and a general view of a repair shop.
Issue No. 19 opens with photomontages of magazine’s earlier cover designs published on the rear side of the front cover. This issue was compiled on public canteens and groceries for factory workers. Pictures are accompanied with verses that Jewish poet Boris Laskin (1914-1983) composed before he took up scriptwriting. One of the following texts attacks the Sukharevsky street market blaming it for profiteering and impolite manners of frequenters. Coming in socialist groceries, those people complicated and worsened the work of cooperative stores. All the early years of the Soviet regime, discussions on the need to liquidate Sukharevka warmed up and were finished in demolition of its tower in 1934.
In all, an interesting propaganda edition with notable design.

Not found in Worldcat.

Price: $1,750.00

Status: On Hold