Skip to main content

Why is this black square famous? - Allison Leigh

321,632 Views

2,871 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 1915, an exhibition of radical artworks opened in Russia. Many pieces pushed the boundaries of form and style, but one was particularly controversial: Kazimir Malevich’s “Black Square.” Criticized as simple and uninspired, Malevich’s work is more complicated than it first appears— and may not be a painting of a black square at all. Allison Leigh digs into the art style known as Suprematism.

Several art critics had very strong reactions to Malevich’s Black Square when it was first publicly exhibited in Saint Petersburg. Why do you think some of them thought the painting would “lead us all to our doom”?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Allison Leigh
  • Director Alexia Roider, Zedem Media
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Storyboard Artist Jeanne Bornet
  • Animator Maria Savva
  • Art Director Jeanne Bornet
  • Sound Designer Manolis Manoli
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Produced by Abdallah Ewis
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Molly Bryson
  • Fact-Checker Charles Wallace

More from The Artist's Palette