Bauhaus Research

Modernity Essay Research

These are the two images that I will discuss in my essay.

First image:

Bayer, H (1925), 'Universal' Typeface

http://www.type.nu/bayer/univer.html

Second image:

Gropius, W (1925), Bauhaus School - Dessau

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus

These are notes I have made from watching a Bauhaus educational DVD

Withford, F (1994), The Face of the Twentieth Century Bauhuas, DVD: BBC / RM ARTS

• The Bauhaus achieved something different to other art schools at the time, as it had a way of dealing with life on an aesthetic level
• Walter Grobius' dream became a reality with the creation of the Bauhaus school
• It was born out of catastrophe, as the old world was collapsing after the 1st world war
• Bauhaus means building house
• Constructive thinking and revolutionary ideas were thought up at the Bauhaus
• Teachers at the school wanted to return to crafts, and so there were workshops where the students actually made things, taught by master craftsman. This was a major innovation at the time.
• There was a Bohemian atmosphere
• Teachers wanted to "destroy separations" between the arts
• Students learnt about materials and textures rather than just art history
• The Bauhaus invented the modern art student, unique work was created rather than just copies of traditional styles
• Products, everything from kitchenware to toys, were made with function and the mass market in mind
• The emphasis was on colour and geometry - the triangle, circle and square
• Teach Joesph Albers says the artists must "exploit, not disguise the strengths inherent of the materials"
• Students were taught to think intelligently and clearly rather than like mad artists
• The 2nd Bauhaus home was in Dessau, and was designed by Gropius himself. Advanced construction techniques were used, and new materials, steel, concrete and re-enforced glass were used.
• Everything was under one roof, the canteen, the workshops, the flats and the offices
• It was built in just over one year
• The school is a perfect example of constructivism and what modern life demanded
• The furniture in the building was all created in the workshops, and many of the creations were inspired by the new technology of the time, in particular the transport
• The typography was bright, bold and simple. Typefaces were rethought and traditional solutions were ignored. 
• The Bauhaus was often hated because it was "different", "radical" and "scary"
• The school moved to different locations for political reasons. The 3rd Bauhaus was closed in 1933 by the Nazi's.