Paul A. Mansurov (1896-1983)

Creative biography PA Mansurov begins with lessons in TSUTR in St. Petersburg (1909-14), where he studied engraving and etching under the direction of VV Mate. At the same time (since 1912) Mansurov attended the School of Drawing at OPH.

In 1915, the artist was drafted in the first Aviation Regiment, and later served in the Office of the Military Air Fleet, where did the drawings for aircraft hangars. Admiration hard-aircraft designers and technology in general is reflected in the future of his artistic work, he became interested in the search for pictorial formulas unified "economic laws" that lie at the basis of a new technology, and in the works of nature, which, following these laws, creates a butterfly or a flower .

In 1917, Mansurov completed sets and costumes for the Petrograd artistic cabaret "Halt comedians." In the early days of the October Revolution, he came to Lunacharsky and invited a representative of the new government itself as an artist. This decisive action is largely determined in the near future Mansurov bridging role between the artistic avant-garde and the Commissariat of Education, headed by Lunacharsky. B. Tatlin , Malevich K , M. Matyushin , P. Filonov - so different in their theoretical creative installations - heat treated to a young artist.

In the long debate with them the genesis of his own concepts. Following Tatlin Mansurov began work on the board, using it as a means of expression invoice in his compositions. In 1919, Tatlin, he assisted in the drafting of the famous "Tower" - the monument III International. The ideas of "the father of Russian Constructivism" on utilitarian cost-create echoed the Mansurov, but in the future urbanism constructivists pushed him away. The artist has experienced and strong influence of Suprematism Kazimir Malevich, but in 1922 came to the conclusion that an active influence on the spectator is not only flat, but the bulk geometric shapes.

An important role is played by the concept for it plastic space MV Matyushina. Young artist hit and thorough "madeness" pictures of Pavel Filonov, from whom he borrowed and the term "picturesque formula" to refer to many of his compositions.

The activities Mansurov in the first years after the revolution was intense and varied. In 1918-19. he creates the scenery for the ballet "Upmann, or smoking thing" to music by Lurie, participates in the design of "Mystery-Bouffe" Mayakovsky, a brochure illustrates NN Punina "poor people", adorns the decorative panel " Europe "and" Asia "St. Isaac's Square for the first anniversary of the October Revolution, and participates in the First State Free Exhibition of Works of Art (1919).