1918-1934
1918-1934
The early twentieth century was a time of extraordinary change in Europe.
The advance of the machine age brought mass production and distribution and
a new sense of internationalism. The theroic' period of modernity  between
the Russian Revolution and the arrival of Fascism in Germany  found
particularly forceful expression in graphic design and photomontage. New
techniques allowed a fusion of typography, painting and photography for
artistic, commercial or political ends, evoking the dynamism and
fragmentation of cinema.
This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see posters, prints, book designs
and political and commercial ephemera, together with original layouts and
photomontages, produced by some of the most important artists working at
that time. Bringing together artists related to the Dutch De Stijl group,
the German Bauhaus, and the Constructivists of Russia and Central Europe,
it includes work by Jean Arp, Herbert Bayer, Willi Baumeister, Theo van
Doesburg, Georg Grosz, John Heartfield, Hannah Höch, Gustav Klucis, El
Lissitzky, Lászlò Moholy-Nagy, Liubov Popova, Alexandr Rodchenko, Oskar
Schlemmer, Kurt Schwitters, Georgii Stenberg & Vladimir Stenberg, Soloman
Telingater and Piet Zwart, among others.
This National Touring Exhibition is drawn from one of the greatest
collections of twentieth century graphics, that of Merrill C. Berman, and
is selected by the filmmaker and curator Lutz Becker. A fully illustrated
catalogue accompanies the exhibition, including texts by Lutz Becker and
the design historian and designer Richard Hollis.
Kettle's Yard
Castle Street, Cambridge
Gallery open Tues-Sun 11.30-17.00
House (permanent collection) open Tues-Sun 13.30-16.30