Oktiabr’: Desiat let bor’by i stroitel’stva 1917-1927. Katalog knig. (October: Ten Years of Struggle and Construction 1917-1927: Book Catalog)

This striking book catalog, titled "October: Ten Years of Struggle and Construction 1917-1927," was designed by Varvara Stepanova, a pivotal figure in the Russian avant-garde and the Constructivist movement. Created in 1927, it celebrates the tenth anniversary of the October Revolution, reflecting the revolutionary spirit that Stepanova and her peers embraced. Rejecting traditional fine art, Constructivists like Stepanova believed art should serve society, directly contributing to revolutionary development through practical applications like graphic design, photography, and propaganda. This catalog exemplifies her approach, utilizing photolithography and photomontage to create a dynamic, functional design that communicates its message with clarity and impact. Her work, often in collaboration with her husband Alexander Rodchenko, pushed boundaries across various mediums, from stage scenery and textile designs to book layouts and political posters. Stepanova saw art as an active process of construction, aiming to dismantle the "sanctity" of individual artworks and transform museums into archives rather than treasuries. This catalog is a testament to her commitment to integrating art with industry and social purpose, creating visually arresting works that were also tools for communication and societal change.