Module 7: Photography and Society

Week 7 Presentation, this week we are set to explore and investigate the works of three photographers, Alexander Rodchenko , Peter Kennard and John Heartfield. We are set out to compare the work of these artists, as well as explore the similarities and difference of each individual. Finally, answer two important questions,

- Did they have an impact on the society and created changes?
- Can photography and photographers achieve something like that?

This presentation is presented and researched by: Wilson Ho; Somar Al Darraji

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Alexander Mikhailovich Rodchenko (1891-1956)

A Russian abstract painter; sculptor, photographer, and industrial designer who, as an early pioneer in Russian Constructivism, believed that art must serve as an agent for social change.

The great and mighty Alexander Rodchenko was widely recognized for his work in photo-montages, which is simply the method and product of creating a composite photograph. The process involves cutting and merging numerous photographs to create one seamless reproduction. With this in mind, his work portrayed a significant role in the “political propaganda glorifying the achievements of the Soviet system”. [1] “His work is best noted in a magazine called” USSR in Construction”, which widely displays Rodchenko’s mastery of photo-montages.” [1]   Alexander Rodchenko believed using photo-montages added more depth and meaning than just the raw photo taken. "Rodchenko's photo-montages treated photographs as raw footage, suppressing their individuality, collectivising their energies, cutting, pasting, re-touching and re-photographing them to conjure up dizzying visions of the future."[1] As you can see below are some of Alexander Rodchenko notable works of “Photomontages”.

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Peter Kennard (1949 - Present)

A London born and based photo-montage artist and senior tutor in photography at the Royal College of Art

Ever since Peter Kennard was a kid, he became very interested in art, at the age of 13, he began to draw and paint out the days of his life. Things he ate and did, places he travelled to. This soon became his life routine. As years progressed, Kennard became increasingly disappointed with the absence of candour in his artwork which failed to develop the depth and meaning Kennard wanted to achieve. Kennard was determine to find a way that can put forward more perseverance, something that would bring out the legitimacy in the society. Having said that, his persistence eventually led to the method of photo-montage. Kennard’s inspirations came from both Alexander Rodchenko and John Heartfield. This took him to a level where he created photo-montages directed at political parties to expose the truth to the public. Below are the various photographs that support my point of view.

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John Heartfield (1891 – 1968) 

Born in Berlin-Schmargendorf, he studied art in Munich at the Royal Bavarian Arts and Crafts School.

Notable for using art as a political weapon.

John Heartfield explored and used photo-montages to depict the violent and greedy governmental control, the Nazi party and Hitler’s Third Reich had. He took a satirical approach, condemning the anti-semite and the wealthy industrialist who supported the German army."[3] Heartfield used his art to protest the suffering of a country full of starving and forbidding individuals in chaos during the time of World War 2. John Heartfield was later, politically charged and his works of art directed at the Nazi party and Hitler banned, he moved to Praha in Czechoslovakia where he continued his photo-montage work for the AIZ. Below are some of Heartfield notable artwork direct at the Nazi party and Hitler.

 

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The Similarities & Differences

Similarities between Alexander Rodchenko, Peter Kennard and John Heartfield are quite apparent and begin with the fact that all of these individuals had an immense range of talent and desire for the visual arts particularly in photography. With all this talent under the hood of these individual photographers, it sparked a whole new genre of photography, called photo-montage. Photo-montage is “the process and result of making a composite photograph by cutting and joining a number of other photographs.”[1] This whole process might be a little too simple, but when used with the proper technique and delivered with an set emotion, photo-montages can be a power tool for an individual to express feelings and concerns. Another trait that brings a lot of similarities between these three was the aptitude of not being afraid to speak their mind through their artwork. “Peter Kennard and Alexandr Rodchenko have both manipulated images to undermine those in power”.[2] Altogether, these three individuals used the same method of art “Photomontage” to dispute issues or concerns they did not believe in. Last of all, their art was an inspiration for one another and help the many art piece they did.

Even though these three artists have a similarities in their use of the photo-montages method, Kennard, Heartfield and Rodchenko all had different styles, different technique, and different methods of approach. Alexander used lots of different angles when taking photographs while Peter Kennard preferred to use lots of different mediums.Each of them uses photo-montages to undermine those in power, but all three of them directed at different parties. Alexander used his photo-montages as “a visual language for the Russian revolution”, while Peter Kennard focused on going after the government and political parties likewise John Heartfield protested about Hitler and the Nazi regime.  

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- Did they have an impact on the society and created changes?
- Can photography and photographers achieve something like that?

These three artists definitely had a significant impact on society, enough to create changes. By using the method of photo-montages, they able to instigate people to think about messages they were trying to portray with their art. Therefore causing people to think, realizing what is going on in their society and therefore having an impact. We have always wanted to reproduce the world around us, events that have past, people that have passed away, and mostly the moment that made us laugh, cry, and fill with joy. It began with cave drawings and led up to the creation of photography allowing us to capture these priceless moments we aim to remember forever. Photographs might not have words, but it can definitely create an impact on society causing people to think about what they are seeing and from there individual can realize and construct the message that  particular art piece is convening.

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Sources:

[1] Rodchenko, Alexander. "BBC - Photography - Genius of Photography - Gallery - Alexander Rodchenko." BBC - Homepage. BBC. Web. 2012.http://www.bbc.co.uk/photography/genius/gallery/rodchenko.shtml.

[2]  "Political Photography: The Illusionists - Features, Art - The Independent." The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. The Independent, 18 Feb. 2008. Web. 2012.http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/political-photography-the-illusionists-782869.html.

[3]  "John Heartfield: Art." Towson University. Web. 2012.http://www.towson.edu/heartfield/art/5.html.