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[AHEAD OF LEF] Teatr i studiia [i.e. Theater and Studio] #1/2 [and all]

Item #968

Moscow: V. S. Vladimirov, 1922. 93, [5] pp.: ill., 1 ill. 24,5x19 cm. In original printed wrappers with constructivist design. Restored, some soiling, blank fragments of margins occasionally lost, otherwise very good.
One of 3200 copies. Extremely rare in this condition.
This little-known magazine, appeared as the only issue, might be considered a forerunner of LEF magazine.
As LEF later fought for embracing a new culture, this periodical promised to display any relevant movements in art. O. Brik wrote how NEP treated the contemporary theater; N. Tarabukin debated with critics that called P. Konchalovsky ‘the Russian Cézanne’; productions of Kamerny and Meyerhold Theaters, Forreger Studio, et al. were overviewed. There are also two articles on cinematography. A neutral work ‘Soul of Movie’ reasoned how art styles changed each other in cinematography from symbolism to cubism and constructivism. In contrast to it, a critic under pseudonym ‘Candide’ felt crisis in cinematography: his work ‘Movie Weakness’ sharply criticized contemporary Russian movie production and screening. A chronicle reported that V. Kandinsky’s INKhUK turned to constructivism, N. Tarabukin was publishing ‘From the Easel to the Machine’, director E. Vakhtangov and Vasily Chekrygin (first printer of Mayakovsky) deceased.
The edition comprises some attractive relevant drawings: a cubist sketch by V. Komardenkov reflected popular Moscow cabaret ‘Nerydai’ (DoNotBlub) that served simultaneously to rich NEPmen and poor artists; the ‘Goodless’ artist D. Moor drew caricature of M. Chekhov in performance ‘The Archangel Michael’, as well as caricature of K. Stanislavsky. It also includes drawings created by B. Efimov, V. Favorskii, A. Miganadzhian, B. Antonovskii, and A. Lopukhin, photographs by I. Bokhanov and T. Levinson depicting production by 1st State Theater for Children and K. Goleizovsky production of Scriabin and Prokof’ev’s works.
The back cover contains an advertisement for Mostorg department stores. The narrow left edge features a phrase ‘You Will Find Whatever You Need’ combined vertical and horizontal words and the whole rest space was occupied by a list of items the stores sold. It was placed after a 90-degree turn to the left, meeting the left cover edge by the top of triangle.
Planning to continue publication next month, the magazine was nevertheless ceased. The specially prepared, ‘permanent’ cover design had been never published. All promised materials, articles and reviews were probably lost.
Worldcat doesn’t show any physical copies.

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