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Henryk Berlewi 1894 - 1967

Polish born avangarde artist, art critic and graphic designer studied traditional art in various European insitutions as: Warsaw Art Academy in Poland (1904-1909), ASP in Antwerp (1909-1910) and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (1911-1912) in Paris and by 1913 came back to Warsaw to further his study just in drawings.

Between 1918-1922 his art and graphic design works were dedicated mostly to Jewish culture taking active part and being a member of Polish art group 'Jung Idysz' (1919-1921), founded art group 'Chaliastre' and produced graphic works for the Jewish magazines published in Warsaw and in Berlin titled 'Albatros'.

During Ist World War become interested in Futurism and Dadaism trough new magazines that come into circulation in Poland from Russia during the communist era. In 1919 moved to Berlin, become a member of 'Novembergruppe' (during 1922-23) and during his stay attended lectures by El Lissitzky developing deep interest in Avant-Garde, Suprematism and Constructivism.

Back in Poland in 1923 Berlewi published his concept about abstract art and in 1924 introduced Mechano - Faktura, in solo exhibition based on abstract geometric shapes, use of contrasting colours only in white-black-red and simple forms/objects into the graphic arts in Poland. He carried on his work through constructivist creative group called 'Block' (1924-26) founded together with Wladyslaw Strzeminski (1893-1952) which actively exhibited 'mecanofactura' new techniques and style in car showrooms in Warsaw and together with poets Aleksandra Wata i Stanislawa Brucza founded new advertising agency 'Reklama Mechano' promoting his modern and functional ideas.

This was most productive period of Berlewi graphic works as the modern theory of graphic design and typography as it has been based on modern industrial production theory of maximum economy within, and the best use of literal text/words being part of the integral whole, a simple concept in communication for advertising for industry and commerce.

Henryk Berlewi is a master of modern graphic design and typography maintaining his professional contacts with El Lissitzky and Theo Doesburg. Fascinated by the mechanical processes, which composition theory was based on reproduction of mechanical, ordered and schematic, simple and geometric forms like lines, circles, squares and graphic symbols, using minimal colour only white, black and red. Mechano - Faktura become the most influential style in graphic design, printing and publishing used world wide and first important steps in the development of moiré patterns.

In 1928 Berlewi left Poland and settled in Paris, permanently changing his style of work mostly dedicating his time to portraitures and returning to abstract art later in 1957, joining the French Syndicat de la Presse Artistique and Association Internationale des Critiques d'Art (AICA).

H. Berlewi, 'Composition', in Red and Black, 1922 >

< H. Berlewi 'Mechanofactura', 1965

View other works by Henryk Berlewi

Mechano - Faktura .... more

Paintings - text in Polish.... more

Wielcy nieobecni. Henryk Berlewi (1894-1967) tect in Polish .... more

Short Biography .... more

Remembering Berlewi .... more

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This site is created and maintained by mpgraphics based on research to assist students in education on history of gaphic design. First published on the 26th March 2001, with Yahoo - Geocities. Until January 2009 mpgraphics had approximately 46.097 visitors

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