Podcast Summary: "El artesano | Constructivismo de Aleksander Mijáilovich Rodchenko"

Hoy por Hoy – SER Podcast, 8 de diciembre de 2025
Host/Interviewer: Àngels Barceló
Guest: Pablo Ortidez Zárate

Main Theme

The episode explores Russian Constructivism through the work and philosophy of Aleksander Mikhailovich Rodchenko. The conversation decodes the complex-sounding art movement, revealing its purpose, visual language, and surprising impact on visual culture, propaganda, and society, while reflecting on its relevance for contemporary life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is Constructivism? (01:47)

• Definition: Experimental art movement from 1920s-30s Soviet Russia during the foundation of the USSR, proposing to turn art into a tool for societal transformation.

• Rodchenko’s Vision: Art should help people see the world differently and "change the world" by breaking away from "bourgeois" glorifying paintings, replacing them with abstract compositions of lines, shapes, and colors.

  Quote [Pablo Ortidez Zárate, 01:21]:

  "Este estilo que parece tan difícil, no es tan difícil... nos puede ayudar mucho y muy bien a encontrar paz mental y a vivir un poco mejor y a pensar un poco más."

2. The Philosophy Behind the Art (03:11)

• Liberation from Content: By painting only pure, simple forms, viewers are freed from familiar associations and prompted to think differently.

• Calm and Order: The ordered simplicity (like circled shapes and primary colors) brings mental calm and creates room for creative thought.

  Quote [Pablo Ortidez Zárate, 03:45]:

  "La idea es crear una imagen visual que al cerebro le produzca calma y paz total... Cuando tu mente está vacía e infundida de esa paz, lo que haces es estar liberado para imaginar un mundo distinto."

3. Iconic Works Unpacked (03:26-05:37)

• Construction #127 (Dos círculos):
  Two superimposed white circles on a black background — representing simplicity, order, and infinity. Meant to calm the mind and inspire new ways of seeing.
• Esfera de color y círculo:
  A yellow and a red circle, invoking cosmic imagery of sun and moon—symbols of cosmic order and stability.

4. Tension Between Elitism and Accessibility (05:37-07:12)

• The initial aim was art for the people, but abstraction proved hard for the masses to understand.

• Rodchenko’s Response: Declared “the death of painting” with a triptych—the simplest colored squares—to signal a need for a new approach.

  Quote [Pablo Ortidez Zárate, 05:55]:

  "Él no es verdad la crítica que me hacen de que esto es muy difícil, porque él es lo más fácil. No hay que entender nada, son simples formas. Simplemente hay que dejar que la mente se contagie del orden y la paz..."

5. The True Revolution: Advertising (07:12-09:51)

• Shift to Advertising and Design:
  Rodchenko predicted that mass media—posters, packaging, advertising—would shape minds more effectively than paintings.

• Formed a legendary collaboration with poet Mayakovsky, merging catchy slogans (in Russian rhyme) and visual design for state campaigns.

• Notable Example:
  Cacao en polvo ad — Constructivist symmetry, straight lines, and bold, rhythmic slogans.

  Quote [Pablo Ortidez Zárate, 07:24]:

  "Él lo que dice es la publicidad... Nadie va a los museos, especialmente los obreros... Vamos a usar el género... que más les llega..."

• The ‘Libro’ Poster: Possibly "the first meme in history"; an iconic shout encourages literacy, making knowledge look dynamic and desirable.

6. The Power (and Danger) of Visual Language (11:30)

• Technique Spread:
  The visual grammar of Constructivism (straight lines, diagonals, bold color) was adopted by other political regimes, including Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, and Francoist Spain because of its effectiveness in propaganda.

  Quote [Pablo Ortidez Zárate, 11:30]:

  "Se inspiraron en esta estética de Rodchenko, esta estética rusa, para su publicidad también porque vieron que era muy, muy eficaz."

7. Photography as a Tool for New Vision (12:05–15:50)

• Democratization:
  Photography offered a cheap, reproducible medium for the masses.

• Changing Perspectives:
  Rodchenko’s photos used unexpected angles (from high above or below) to encourage viewers to "see with new eyes"—to question their worldview.

• Iconic Photo Examples:

  • Young woman shot from below = energy and empowerment.
  • Worker on a ladder, upward angle = progress.
  • Woman on the phone, seen from above = technology as the true subject.

  Quote [Pablo Ortidez Zárate, 14:15]:

  "El teléfono es fundamental para recibir información... Si tú le haces la foto a la mujer desde... muy arriba... el protagonista es el teléfono, es el que va a cambiar el mundo..."

8. Official Reception and Decline (16:05)

• Initial Support: Constructivism was briefly the USSR’s official style.

• Stalin’s Rejection:
  Seen as inaccessible to the common citizen, Constructivism was dropped for Socialist Realism—easy-to-understand, optimistic paintings glorifying Soviet life.

• Lesson:
  Revolutionary complexity was squashed in favor of clear, direct messaging.

  Quote [Pablo Ortidez Zárate, 16:05]:

  "Tengo que decir que no sirvió para nada... algunos si te lo explican, lo entienden, pero el campesino, el trabajador, no va a entender nada de esto... El arte oficial tiene que ser el realismo socialista."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:21] Pablo: “Este estilo que parece tan difícil, no es tan difícil, y que además nos puede ayudar mucho y muy bien a encontrar paz mental y a vivir un poco mejor y a pensar un poco más. Fíjate, todo esto consigue el constructivismo ruso...”
• [03:45] Pablo: “Cuando tu mente está vacía e infundida de esa paz, lo que haces es estar liberado para imaginar un mundo distinto.”
• [07:24] Pablo: “Nadie va a los museos, especialmente los obreros, los campesinos. Entonces vamos a usar el género, el arte visual que más les llega...”
• [11:30] Pablo: “Se inspiraron en esta estética de Rodchenko, esta estética rusa, para su publicidad también porque vieron que era muy, muy eficaz.”
• [16:05] Pablo: “No sirvió para nada... El arte oficial tiene que ser el realismo socialista.”

Key Timestamps

• [01:47] – Introduction to Russian Constructivism and Rodchenko’s role
• [03:26] – Analysis of important artworks ("Construction #127")
• [05:37] – Discussion of abstraction, accessibility, and the “death of painting”
• [07:12] – Advertising, propaganda, and the cultural shift to mass media
• [09:53] – The famous "Libros" poster as proto-meme
• [12:05] – Role of photography and perspective in revolutionary art
• [16:05] – End of Constructivism under Stalin

Tone and Style

Conversational, lightly humorous and enthusiastic—Pablo’s explanations demystify the style, making the esoteric accessible without losing depth. The hosts maintain skepticism but engage willingly, showing genuine curiosity.

In Summary

The episode turns an intimidating topic—Russian Constructivism—into a fascinating, accessible exploration of how art can help us see and build new worlds. From geometric abstraction to striking posters and new photographic angles, Rodchenko’s movement aimed to democratize both visual calm and revolutionary potential. Ultimately, its complexity led to its replacement by more direct propaganda, but its influence on design, advertising, and even global authoritarian regimes lingers. The philosophy? To truly change your reality, start by looking at it afresh.