Read the journal Young Guard. (A. Rodchenko., V. Mayakovsky) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a bold, minimalist Soviet propaganda poster from 1924, designed by El Lissitzky, Alexander Rodchenko, and Vladimir Mayakovsky.

What I see:

• Central Figure: A stylized, energetic young man in red overalls and a cap dominates the center of the poster. His mouth is wide open in a shout or cheer, and his arms are raised triumphantly, forming an almost triumphant X shape against the dark background. The figure is rendered in a flattened, geometric style characteristic of Constructivism.
• Text: The poster features prominent Russian text. The main slogan at the top reads ЧИТАЙТЕ ЖУРНАЛ (Read the Journal). Below the central figure, the name of the journal is clearly displayed: МОЛОДАЯ ГВАРДИЯ (Young Guard). There are also details at the top left and right indicating issue numbers (8 and 9) and months (October and November), along with the journals affiliation with УКЛРКЛМ (likely a youth organization). The bottom of the poster provides the editorial address and telephone number in Moscow.
• Color Palette: The poster uses a stark and limited color palette of red, black, and a light cream/beige for the text blocks and border. This contrast emphasizes the graphic impact and urgency of the message.
• Composition: The composition is dynamic and visually arresting, with the central figure drawing the viewers eye immediately. The angularity and sharpness of the lines contribute to the sense of energy and forward momentum.

Subtexts:

• Youthful Energy and Power: The Young Guard journal is clearly aimed at young people, and the poster visually embodies their vigor, strength, and revolutionary spirit. The shouting figure represents the voice of the youth, actively engaged and participating in the new Soviet society.
• Call to Action: The direct command Read the Journal is a clear call to action, urging the viewer to engage with the publication and absorb its content, which would have been aligned with communist ideology.
• Ideological Alignment: The journals name, Young Guard, and its affiliation with youth organizations suggest it promoted communist ideals and fostered revolutionary consciousness among young Soviet citizens. Posters like this were crucial tools for disseminating propaganda and mobilizing the population.
• Modernism and Avant-Garde: The graphic style is deliberately modern and avant-garde, reflecting the artistic and ideological currents of the early Soviet Union. The geometric abstraction and bold use of color rejected traditional academic art in favor of forms that communicated directly and powerfully.
• Unity and Strength: The raised arms and the strong, upright stance of the figure can be interpreted as symbolizing unity, collective effort, and the strength of the young generation in building the new Soviet state. The overall impression is one of optimistic, determined, and powerful engagement with the future.