Bogomazov Alexander

Abstract composition No. 5 42,6x38,1 cm, oil on canvas, 1914-1915
About work

(Українська) “Абстрактна композиція №5” належить до періоду 1914-1916. В цей час картини художника наповнені перетином вертикалей і горизонталей, гострих кутів і колірних плям. Фовістскі насичений колір картини породжений трьома джерелами – по-перше, це експресіонізм Кандинського – Явленского, чиїми творами А. Богомазов захоплювався на виставці “Салону Іздебського” в Києві, по-друге, за словами самого художника, “яскравий і глибокий динамізм” української природи , і не останню роль відіграє прищеплена йому його вчителем А. Мурашко любов і схильність до фіолетовим тонам.

Вона будується на тонкій взаємодії абстрактних колірних модуляцій. Сам художник любив повторювати, що в своїх роботах він прагнув “вивільнити мальовничі елементи з полону … відтісняючи на другий план мальовничий сенс картини”.

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The famous Ukrainian painter and graphic artist, book illustrator, prominent representative and theorist of the artistic avant-garde, Alexander Konstantinovich Bogomazov (1880-1930) lived most of his life in Kiev. In 1911, he graduated from the Kiev Art College, where he was a student at V. Menka, A. Murashko, I. Seleznev, studied at the studios of F. Rerberg and K. Yuon in Moscow.

In his early work, the artist for some time followed the traditions of the “Wanderers”, then experienced the strong influence of impressionism and avant-garde movements, which in a special way affected his artistic style. In the 1910s, the artist traveled to Finland. A. Bogomazov talked a lot and fruitfully with Moscow cubic futurists, who introduced the artist to the ideas of Italian futurists. In 1914, together with Alexandra Exter, was the founder of the Kiev art association “Ring”, organized exhibitions. In the same year he completed his treatise “Painting and Elements”, in which he examined the interaction of the Object, the Artist, the Painting and the Spectator, theoretically substantiated the search for the artistic avant-garde.

The main conclusion of the artist: the world is changeable and unpredictable and is constantly in constant motion. Now the task of the artist A. Bogomazov sees in reproducing the impressions of a hectic life, in fixing the struggle and tension, in transmitting rhythm, pace, dynamics. Perhaps that is why in the works of the artist 1914-1916. expression of expression was so sharply manifested in almost cinematic compositions, as well as in piercing-sounding color and rhythm. The work of this period is “Abstract Composition No. 5”. At this time, the artist’s paintings are filled with the intersection of verticals and horizontals, sharp corners and color spots. The Fovistically saturated color of the painting is generated by three sources – firstly, it is the expressionism of Kandinsky – Yavlensky, whose works A. Bogomazov admired at the exhibition “Salon of Izdebsky” in Kiev, and secondly, according to the artist himself, “bright and deep dynamism” of Ukrainian nature , and not the last role is played by the love and a penchant for violet tones instilled in him by his teacher A. Murashko. This master’s work is based on the subtle interaction of abstract color modulations. The artist himself liked to repeat that in his works he sought to “release the pictorial elements from captivity … pushing the pictorial meaning of the picture into the background.”

In 1915, A. Bogomazov moved to the North Caucasus, where he was engaged in painting and teaching, then returned to Kiev, taught art disciplines at the Zolotonoshy Commercial School, Kiev Art and Craft Printing Workshop, Boyar Higher Primary School, at the Kiev Institute of Plastic Arts (since 1924 – Kiev Art Institute). A. Bogomazov is also known as one of the founders of the Artisanal Partnership and the First Artel of Artists, as the first secretary of the Artists’ Union of Kiev. In the 1920s, the artist was the head of the Department of Art Education at the All-Ukrainian Committee of Art, and worked on the reform of art education at all levels. He worked hard on the design of revolutionary holidays, drew many posters, illustrated children’s books.

Like many outstanding contemporary avant-garde contemporaries, Alexander Bogomazov had different talents, his nature sought to cover all spheres of creativity, and his talent helped to achieve significant results. An experimenter in painting, a brilliant teacher, a serious theorist, Alexander Bogomazov once said: “Art is an endless rhythm, the artist is his sensitive resonator.”

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