Lonely Metropolitan 1932
Constructivism is an artistic and architectural movement that originated in Russia beginning in 1919. The philosophy was a rejection of autonomous art of the previous years. Constructivism emphasized art as a practise for social purpose.
Constructivism had a strong influence on modern movements of the 20th century such as the Bauhaus and Dada. It had major impact and was reflected in architecture, graphic + industrial design, theatre, film, dance, fashion, music and education.
Image Analysis
This photography 'Lonely Metropolitan' by Herbert Bayer is a photo montage representing the personal effects of the move to the city. The move came along with the feelings of claustrophobia, insecurities, loneliness and isolation which is depicted in this image. The photograph is presumably taken from a balcony similar to the ones visible. The closeness of the windows and the height of the building give them impression of claustrophobia due to cramped living conditions, with people literally living on to top of each other. There seems to be little privacy and the windows and building appears to be rather hostile and unwelcoming.
The montaged hands are not connected to a body, could reflect the detachment one feels from the city. The eyes on the hands are from different people, this, as well as the floating hands could suggest that the person of which this is a viewpoint is anonymous, expressing the idea that this detachment is a collective feeling, applying to all those who have moved to the city.
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