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[UKRAINIAN PHOTOMONTAGE] Za robitnyche zhytlo [i.e. For Workers’ Dwelling]

Item #851

#1-5, 6/7, 8, 9/10 for 1931. Kharkiv: Ukrzhitlospilka, 1931. Overall 8 issues. 23,5x17 cm. In original illustrated wrappers: #1-5 with constructivist composition; #6/7, 8, 9/10 with constructivist composition and printed illustration. Rubbed, minor fragments of cover paper lost (#1-2) and stains occasionally (#1, 9/10). Issues were disbound, the covers detached from the blocks.

Extremely rare set of issues for 1931. Print run varied in 2500-2700 copies. in Ukrainian. Striking constructivist design of issues features photomontage double-page spread (#3), combining faces of workers with houses and factories, full-page photomontage (#8) devoted to first Five-Year plan, as well as spectacular layout itself. The cover design was produced by Abram Starchevsky (1897-1967), a graphic artist and poster designer known for his. work. in visual propaganda. In the following year, he was entrusted to design the Dnieper Dam opening ceremony. One of the curious solutions was to put the photograph of children visiting Kiev rabbit house on the front cover, turning the horizontal picture vertically (#9/10). Besides, artists Iu. Mur, F. Belen and Shcheglov, photographer V. Arskii were attracted to magazine design as well.
This magazine was published in 1926-1933 covering issues of housing construction for workers. The edition promoted communal dwelling, healthy and socialist lifestyle for women with work on factories, educational courses, collaboration with factory-kitchen and kindergarten. Each issue is richly illustrated with photographs of the 1920s civil and industrial buildings in the different Ukrainian cities.
Due to the low print-run and quality of paper, this edition is practically unknown and unfindable.

Worldcat doesn’t track this edition.

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