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Much appreciation has been forthcoming from Artloggers for the constructivist marionettes of the Russian artist and stage designer Aleksandra Aleksandrovna Ekster (1884 -1849) recently featured in three puppet-themed posts. Having since found further examples of Exter’s marionettes, I’ve decided to gather all the images I have of her puppets into a single post.
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There’s an Aleksandra Aleksandrovna Ekster Wikipedia entry for anyone inclined to read more about her, but here’s a brief summary of the facts. After studying art at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris, Exter returned to Russia where she became a leading stage-designer and produced the set and costume designs for what is often called the first Soviet science-fiction film, Aelita, (1924) aka Aelita: Queen of Mars. That same year she and her husband Nicolas Evgenievich Ekster emigrated to France, where Alexandra lived for the rest of her life. She moved and worked in a circle of artistic elite, and was friends with Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Fernand Léger, Guillaume Apollinaire and Gertrude Stein.
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I haven’t been able to find evidence of Ekster giving performances with her marionettes, which might suggest they were more by way of the artist being playful with three-dimensional form in the process of designing for the theatre. (Though if that’s the case they were enormously elaborate constructs.) She also made maquettes of costumes/characters for the stage, as well as producing costume designs by the more usual method of drawings/watercolours on paper.
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Below is an example of an Exter maquette of characters/costumes for Romeo and Juliet, followed by three costume designs for a production of Salome.
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Maquettes of figures from Romeo and Juliet, circa 1924
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Costume designs for Salome. 1922
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Images of Ekter’s work as a painter and stage designer may be found at THIS Pinterest page.
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UPDATE:
And here, to wind up this post neatly, is a photograph just sent to me by my friend Leonard Greco. He took it yesterday at LACMA, and it’s of a wonderful Ekster marionette. Thank you, Leonard.
Alexandra Exter
Russia, 1884 – 1949
Evening Dress (Habit de Rigeur) 1926
Wood, cardboard, plastic and material
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Wonderful! I love the way that the figures in skirts flip their legs out sideways from the material…very carefree! I particularly like the costume design drawing for Herod…to me that stands as a piece in its own right.
So funny my sister and I were at LACMA yesterday admiring an Ekster marionette ; will try to send you an image that I snapped of the spry fellow. Look for an email
.Lg
Lucky you, having an Ekster marionette to examine at close quarters. (Well, as close as being under glass allows.) I am really quite jealous!
Yes, please do send the photograph.
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Well I have a sleeper sofa with your (and Peter…and Jack’s ) name on it. Come on out to LA-any ol’ time. LA has a very large collection of German Expressionist work ; much was collected during Hollywood’s golden era. So much to draw upon. The “Golem” exhibition is closing shortly, it has been a real treat.
Anyway, thanks for posting more info concerning the amazing Ekter-I snapped the LACMA image as reference for my own puppet making-she makes it seem approachable.
Lg
🙂
More details gratefully received here. Have been fascinated ever since you first mentioned her. Now I see she was a mover and shaker with some pretty special contemporaries. What gems. Thanks Clive.
Happy to oblige, Lesley. Her work with puppets has been on my mind, too.