So, for this week’s discussion we focused on Tatlin’s work in the Russian Avant-garde as well as the importance and meaning of Faktura. I must say have been historically drawn to people rather than concepts, however interesting a concept may be, it is conceived by thought of a person or persons. The reading in which I found most enlightening about Tatlin’s life and works of art was Gabriel Villalobos’ piece called “A New Palpable World- The Counter Reliefs of Vladmir Tatlin.” What I gathered to be to if not the primary idea or one of the primary ideas about Gabriel’s analysis and chronicling of Tatlin’s life and work dealt with what his influences were and how they evolved into his idiosyncratic style which forged his place as a legend of the Avant-garde.

Tatlin’s use of industrial/technological materials for his reliefs was most certainly a derivative of his upbringing; Gabriel made this very clear as he noted how his father was a railway engineer and his early experiences at sea meddling with gadgets and technology aboard the ship were extremely important. Next I would say, the form of the shapes and materials, their placement, and his overall artistic style was influenced not solely but heavily by Pablo Picasso. However, it was critical to note the difference in ultimate appearance and construct of Picasso and Tatlin’s work. I found it very easy to follow how Gabriel explained the difference in each artistic titan’s style.

Tatlin’s emphasis was more on the materials “speaking” for themselves by the way in which he arranged them. Tatlin’s aim was not to change the materials and denature their natural state for expression. But Picasso appositionally mixed the materials so as to portray his form. Finally, Gabriel uses this comparison as a board for which to illuminate the true dynamic of Faktura. I thoroughly enjoyed this reading and look forward to exploring more from this author.