Композиция 35 (55). Отрыв цвета от формы

1916

“The Store” exhibition organised by Vladimir Tatlin

Rodchenko takes part in “The Store”, the exhibition organised by Vladimir Tatlin, another formative influence. As Tatlin's student and assistant he leaves figuration behind and paints with compass and ruler, aiming to eliminate expressive brushwork.

1916

Begins living with Stepanova

From 1916 Rodchenko and Varvara Stepanova live together in Moscow; later they would work side by side on an advertising mural and photo albums.

1916 – early 1917

Called up: a hospital train

That same year Rodchenko is called up; until early 1917 he serves as quartermaster of a Moscow Zemstvo hospital train.

1917

Secretary of the artists' union Young Federation

Right after the February Revolution a painters' union is founded in Moscow; Rodchenko becomes secretary of its Young Federation, working mainly to secure decent living and working conditions for young artists.

1918–1921

Heads the Museum Bureau of Narkompros

From 1918 to 1921 Rodchenko heads the museum bureau of the Fine Arts Department of Narkompros. By other accounts, he was appointed Director of the Museum Bureau and Purchasing Fund in 1920, responsible for reorganising art schools and museums.

1920–1930

Professor at VKhUTEMAS/VKhUTEIN

For ten years Rodchenko teaches in the woodworking and metalworking faculties (merged into the Dermetfak in 1928), training students to design multifunctional objects for everyday life and public buildings, expressive through construction rather than ornament.