Zenitism

9 hours ago

Post 01-2025 Aesthetic Explorations, Student Work

[1] Composition 77 by Mihailo Petrov

Following the end of World War I, the former country of Yugoslavia was founded by the joining of the Kingdom of Serbia and the State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs. During the war, these former states saw devastation and the losses of millions. Seeing first hand the desolation of Europe, Ljubormir Micić sought to unite all of Europe, rather than continue the Eastern versus Western European which pervaded most all of Europe. In 1921, a magazine under the name of Zenit was published by Micić. This magazine held anti-war and pro-humanitarian views, rejecting the traditionalist views of European culture by incorporating aspects of both western and eastern European art movements, such as Cubism and Dadaism. From this magazine came the aesthetic of Zenitism, an avant-garde movement characterized by abstract use of shapes and checkered patterns often to depict urban settings and their inhabitants. The journal Zenit sought to be both the first Balkan magazine in the west, as well as the first western magazine in the Balkans.

Philosophy

At the core of Zenitism lies the rejection of a politically unaligned Europe and the valuing of human life. Zenitists believed that the now war torn Europe could be overpowered by what they referred to as the Barbarogenius, a modern primitive similar to the stereotypes held by the west of the Balkans. A view born to increase nationalism within the newly formed Yugoslavia and prevent further spreading of negative stereotypes within Yugoslavia and Europe as a whole. While this philosophy is not readily apparent at first sight, the combination of multiple European art movements and the philosophy of the magazine itself help to relay the idea of unification between cultures.

[2] The cover of the 30th edition of Zenit, illustrated by El. Lisicki

[3] Zenit No 22, featuring works by Alexander Archipenko

[4] Zenit No 15 with the cover art by L. Kassák

These are some scans of the original Zenit magazine, each with different covers of different issues. The different covers from different artists show different styles, from formalism to cubism to more expressionism.

Influence

Ultimately, the Zenit magazine was halted after 44 published issues in 1926 due to censorship from the Yugoslavian government. While this movement was short lived, Zenitism is still considered the most relevant art movement from the Balkans. The magazine gained international recognition, influencing the rise of the avant-garde movement in Europe. The Zenit magazine covered everything from poetry and music to architecture and politics. Platforming artists and writers from all across Yugoslavia, as well as others across western Europe and Russia, often printing these passages untranslated. These journals were accompanied by the illustrations of Jo Klek and Mihailo Petrov with special covers done by young Czech and Russian artists. The Zenit was a gathering place for all to share their own perspectives of the world, uniting readers through their shared love of literature and the fine arts, regardless of their nationality.

[5] Template for the Monkey Phenomenon by Jo Klek

[6] Advertising Kiosk by Jo Klek

Other works by Jo Klek showcase the eclectic style of the movement. With a heavy focus on abstractly portraying urban and industrial scenery through the use of basic shapes and checkered patterns.

References

Glišić, Iva, and Tijana Vujošević. “(PDF) Zenitism and Orientalism.” ResearchGate, Jan. 2021, www.researchgate.net/publication/355315705_Zenitism_and_orientalism.

Heller, Steven. “Zenit.” PRINT Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023, www.printmag.com/daily-heller/zen-zenit-zenitism/.

“Zenit.” Monoskop, monoskop.org/Zenit. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Wiki, Contributors to Aesthetics. “Zenitism.” Aesthetics Wiki, Fandom, Inc., aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Zenitism. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Images Derived From

[1] Wiki, Contributors to Aesthetics. “Zenitism.” Aesthetics Wiki, Fandom, Inc., aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Zenitism. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

[2] Heller, Steven. “Zenit.” PRINT Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023, www.printmag.com/daily-heller/zen-zenit-zenitism/.

[3] Heller, Steven. “Zenit.” PRINT Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023, www.printmag.com/daily-heller/zen-zenit-zenitism/.

[4] “Centenial of Zenit Magazine.” Galerija Rima, galerijarima.com/en/article/exhibition/past-belgrade/centennial-of-zenit-magazine-19211926.html. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

[Featured Image] Vo Imja Zenitizma by Jo Klek Wiki, Contributors to Aesthetics. “Zenitism.” Aesthetics Wiki, Fandom, Inc., aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Zenitism. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.