between design
and alcohol

From the middle of 1920’s onward Gan battled an increasingly severe alcohol addiction. It may be partially attributable to the concussion he received during World War. Gan understood the drawbacks and in 1927 enrolled in therapy at a neuropsychiatric hospital. However, ultimately it was unsuccessful. In 1933 his addiction led to a falling out with Shub; soon after Gan left Moscow permanently.

Folding-up mobile kiosk for street merchants designed by Aleksei Gan in 1922. Image published in issue 2 of SA magazine, 1926.

for gan [...] ‘anti-marxist’, ‘bourgeois’ attitude of many artists and officials of his time is unacceptable and insupportable. in his opinion, the communist revolution means a definite break with everything of the past, including its art and culture. —willem g. weststeijn, slavist

 

A caricature on Alexei Gan and his magazine Kino-Fot made by Alexander Rodchenko. Vino-Gan N 6

Caricature on Alexei Gan and his magazine Kino-Fot made by Alexander Rodchenko.

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