ROSPHOTO introduces exhibition dedicated to edition “El Lissitzky. Film of Life. 1890–1941”. The edition results from a twenty year long research of distinguished scholars, Alexander Kantsedikas and Zoya Yargina. It is the fullest in history of art criticism investigation of the outstanding Russian avantguardist’s work.

This project of New Hermitage One museum-gallery (Moscow) is exceptional for several reasons. The study, composed of seven books bound in three pockets, represents the new type of art edition unique both in its content and design. First five books use the principle of biographic narration and explore the main stages of El Lissitsky's life in art. The history of the artist's diverse practices is given in fine detail and with perfect consistency.

The sixth book of the monograph is a research in art history. Eighty analytic sheets give one a clear view of the general sections of Lissitsky’s diverse work, whilst exploring his art technique and his place among other Russian and European avantguard artists. The final, seventh part of the series contains Lissitsky’s main articles and lectures that explain his theory of the development of contemporary art in its various forms. The two last parts are bound in a separate pocket.

The edition is richly illustrated by El Lissitsky's works: suprematic posters, designer projects that had found their life in book illustrations and exhibition pavilions built by the artist, the famous "prouns" (projects of establishing the new) and "figurines" (scenographic design projects). The illustrations enhance reader's experience of the artist's thoughts and views.

To all the values of "Film of Life" (including, by the way, its convincingly constructivist polygraphic version), there is one drawback. "Film of Life" is a small run and therefore quite costly publication. However, New Hermitage One gallery, following its concept of cooperation with museums, and ROSPHOTO have together come to the idea of this exhibition that will allow to introduce the edition to a wide audience and to tell about the artist rightly named "the ambassador of the Soviet art" in Europe of the 1920s.