Yulia Karpova's 'Comradely Objects' redefines Soviet design history from 1960s-1980s
In her 2020 publication, 'Comradely Objects: Design and Material Culture in Soviet Russia, 1960s-1980s,' Yulia Karpova explores the realm of Soviet decorative design during the period of late socialism. Released by Manchester University Press, this 248-page work delves into institutions such as the Artists’ Union of the SSSR and VNIITE, established in 1962. Karpova connects the impact of 1920s Russian Constructivism to discussions surrounding 'comradely objects,' emphasizing themes like 'honesty' and 'vibrancy.' The book examines VNIITE's product evaluations and ideological divisions within publications such as Dekorativnoe Iskusstvo SSSR, featuring case studies on items like the Vitiaz alarm clock, OKA-USh refrigerator, and Buran vacuum cleaner. Karpova contends that Soviet design represents a resilient avant-garde heritage, intended to inspire interdisciplinary dialogue on Soviet material culture.
Key facts
- Yulia Karpova published 'Comradely Objects: Design and Material Culture in Soviet Russia, 1960s-1980s' in 2020 with Manchester University Press.
- The book analyzes Soviet design from the 1960s to 1980s, focusing on institutions like VNIITE and the Artists’ Union of the SSSR.
- Karpova traces the revival of 1920s Russian Constructivist ideas under Khrushchev, emphasizing concepts like 'honesty' in objects.
- VNIITE, founded in 1962, conducted product research, including comparisons between British Milward Courier and Soviet Ultro electric shavers.
- Debates in Dekorativnoe Iskusstvo SSSR involved figures like Ivan Matsa and Anatolii Gorpenko on the beauty of socialist objects.
- Case studies include prototypes like the Vitiaz alarm clock (1972) and the ceramics collective One Composition's 'image ceramics.'
- Boris Smirnov, a Leningrad glassmaker, advocated for expressive decorative art, influencing later artists like Mikhail Kopylkov.
- The book argues Soviet design was distinct from Western stereotypes and highlights the disintegration of the socialist object by the 1980s.
Entities
Artists
- Yulia Karpova
- Mary Okin
- Tom Cubbin
- Kristina Kiaer
- Aleksandr Saltykov
- Alexander Rodchenko
- Alexandr Chekalov
- Mosei Kagan
- Sergei Oushakine
- Ivan Matsa
- Anatolii Gorpenko
- Nina Iaglova
- Boris Shragin
- Karl Kantor
- Iurii Gerchuck
- Mikhail Kos'kov
- Petr Tucny
- Vsevolod Medvedeev
- Boris Smirnov
- Leonid Nevler
- Mikhail Kopylkov
Institutions
- Manchester University Press
- Central European University
- Artists’ Union of the SSSR
- All-Union Research Institute of Technical Aesthetics (VNIITE)
- VKHUTEMAS (Higher Artistic and Technical Studios)
- Dekorativnoe Iskusstvo SSSR (Decorative Art USSR)
- Institute of Public Opinion
- One Composition (OK)
- ARTMargins Online
Locations
- Soviet Russia
- Manchester
- Budapest
- Hungary
- Leningrad
- Moscow
- Kalinin
- England
- Czech
- West
Sources
- ARTMargins —
- ARTMargins —