empt to be attainable by the common people as Rodchenko’s work does. Woman With Her Throat Cut is a study in conflicting emotions. Giacometti himself states that the piece was based upon a need to “find a solution between things that were full and calm, and clear and violent” Giacometti goes on to state that part of the solution was to depict objects moving in opposite directions. It lies on the floor, darkly disturbing in its implications. The woman lies bare- triangular forms suggesting a spine are open to the air. She is twisted and used. The curved forms combined with sharp tooth like points create a very mixed message. Sometimes described as “insectoid” and “predatorial” because of these sharp angles- the work nevertheless is equally flowing. These sharp angles and insectoid features are connected by smooth liquid sweeps of curvilinear shapes. This is an especially interesting contrast around the woman’s belly. The smooth arch of the abdomen arches over the jagged edges of Giacometti’s triangular peaks- divided by empty space. Often interpreted by critics as a fantasy of Giacometti’s, the work suggests sexuality (namely rape) and violence . Picasso and Lipchitz influenced the original version. Giacometti’s work all seems to have a similar flavor. Most of his pieces in this time period seem to be about some fantasy or another. Rodchenko is not necessarily trying to deceive his viewers, but by painting the surface of his plywood he is definitely trying to change how his work is viewed as a material piece. The silver paint imitates metal. But the work itself is made of plywood. This use of materials is quite characteristic of the constructivist movement started by Tatlin. The Constructivists strove to combine industry art and production. Their ideas went hand in hand with the young version of communism newly emerged in power. Most of the early constructivist...
