The Vitebsk Project by Kazimir Malevich: A ?ase-Study of Urban Life Modernization

Abstract

The article is given over to analyzing the urban life modernization project implemented by Kazimir Malevich in Vitebsk in 1919- 1920. The background of the project, its format and participants are described. The theoretical justification for the case study selection as a main research method is provided, and stages, a selection of research units and results verification methods are described. As research materials the urban life modernization projects developed by Malevich for its various spheres, such as: stage architecture, household articles, residential buildings and urban functions, were taken. The key structural features of the urban space modernization model proposed by Malevich are presented. Their analysis, in the context of social and cultural environment, was carried out and the following key substantive characteristics were defined: The idea of a new world building, the idea of unity and the idea of movement and development. The ideological proximity of the project to the social and political utopias and visionary architecture is shown. The development of Vitebsk project principles in the urban space of the following years and their use possibility under modern conditions is considered.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s4p309