Bauhaus

Our guiding principle was that design is neither an intellectual nor a material affair, but simply an integral part of the stuff of life, necessary for everyone in a civilized society.
_{(Walter Gropius)}

According to (britannica.com, 2023), the Bauhaus was a German art school that operated from 1919 to 1933. It was founded by architect Walter Gropius, who sought to bring together artists, artisans and technicians to create a new type of art school that met the needs of modern society.

_{Fig1. The Bauhaus building, Photo by Hjochheim https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus}

The Bauhaus aimed to bridge the gap between the fine arts and the applied arts, with the goal of creating a new form of art that would be both functional and beautiful. To this end, the school offered a wide range of courses, including painting, sculpture, architecture, and design, as well as workshops in metalworking, pottery, and textiles.

The Bauhaus aimed to merge art with technically expert craftsmanship through workshops that taught skills such as carpentry, pottery, wall painting, and stagecraft.
(britannica.com, 2023)

One of the key figures at the Bauhaus was the artist and designer Paul Klee, who taught at the school from 1921 to 1931. Klee’s work was heavily influenced by the principles of the Bauhaus, and he is considered to be one of the most important figures in the development of the school’s style.

_{Fig. 2 – Black Columns in a Landscape Paul Klee}

Another important figure at the Bauhaus was the artist and designer Wassily Kandinsky, who taught at the school from 1922 to 1933. Kandinsky’s work was heavily influenced by the principles of abstraction, and he is considered to be one of the most important figures in the development of abstract art.

_{Fig. 3 – Wassily Kandinsky, Composition #218 (Two Ovals) (1919), Oil on Canvas, 107 × 89 cm, Saint Petersburg, The Russian Museum}

In addition to its emphasis on fine art, the Bauhaus also placed a strong emphasis on design and technology. The school’s workshops produced a wide range of functional objects, including furniture, lighting fixtures, and textiles, that was designed to be aesthetically pleasing and practical.

_{Fig. 4 – Tubular steel chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer, 1928.}

The Bauhaus had a significant influence on the development of modern art, design, and architecture. Many of the school’s students and teachers went on to become influential figures in their respective fields, and the Bauhaus style continues to be an important reference point for contemporary artists and designers.

The Bauhaus inspired a focus on the functionality of objects for mass society as well as the fundamentals of design. Today many art curricula include foundational courses based on the Bauhaus model.
(britannica.com, 2023)

Despite its initial success, the Bauhaus was eventually closed by the Nazi government in 1933 due to its perceived association with communist and socialist ideologies. Many of the school’s teachers and students were forced to flee Germany, and the Bauhaus legacy was largely forgotten until the 1950s and 60s when it was rediscovered by a new generation of artists and designers.

Bauhaus in Brazil

_{Fig.5 – São Paulo Museum of Art, Photo by Wilfredo Rodríguez}

The Bauhaus movement had a significant impact on the development of modern art, design, and architecture in Brazil. Many Brazilian architects and designers were influenced by the Bauhaus style, which emphasized the use of new materials and technology, as well as a focus on the functional aspect of design.

One of the most notable examples of Bauhaus-inspired architecture in Brazil is the São Paulo Museum of Art, which was designed by the Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi. The museum, which was completed in 1957, is considered to be one of the most important examples of modern architecture in Brazil and is characterized by its use of concrete, glass, and steel, as well as its focus on functionality and simplicity.

Another important figure in Brazilian architecture who was influenced by the Bauhaus is Oscar Niemeyer. Niemeyer, who is widely regarded as one of the most important architects of the 20th century, was heavily influenced by the Bauhaus movement and is known for his use of concrete, glass, and steel, as well as his focus on functional and modern design.

_{Fig. 6 – Niterói Contemporary Art Museum Niterói, Oscar Niemeyer}

In addition to architecture, Bauhaus also had a significant impact on the development of Brazilian design. Brazilian designers like Lina Bo Bardi, who was also a designer, and Joaquim Tenreiro, were influenced by the Bauhaus principles of functionality and simplicity, and their work is considered to be an important part of the Bauhaus legacy in Brazil.

_{Fig. 7 – Three Foot Chair (1947)}

Despite the strong influence of Bauhaus in Brazil, it’s worth noting that some architects and designers in Brazil, like Lina Bo Bardi, also incorporated elements of Brazilian culture and tradition in their work, creating a unique blend of Bauhaus principles with the local context.

The characteristics of Bauhaus:

Functionality: Bauhaus designers believed that design should serve a purpose and that form should follow function. They sought to create practical, functional objects that were aesthetically pleasing.
Simplicity: Bauhaus designers used simple geometric shapes and colours and emphasized clean lines and minimalism. They believed that design should be stripped down to its essential elements.
Technology: The Bauhaus movement embraced new technologies and materials and sought to incorporate them into their designs. They believed that design should reflect the modern world and its technology.
Experimentation: Bauhaus designers were encouraged to experiment with new materials and techniques. This led to innovative designs that broke with traditional forms.
Collaboration: The Bauhaus school was founded on the idea of collaboration between artists, craftsmen, and designers. This interdisciplinary approach encouraged the exchange of ideas and techniques.
Mass production: Bauhaus designers believed that good design should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. They sought to create designs that could be mass-produced and affordable.

Overall, the Bauhaus movement was characterized by a belief in the power of design to shape the world and improve people’s lives. Its legacy can be seen in many fields of design today, from architecture and furniture to graphic design and typography.

Bibliograph

Bauhaus (2022) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus (Accessed: March 19, 2023).

Bauhaus (2023) Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bauhaus (Accessed: March 19, 2023).

Bauhaus movement overview (2010) The Art Story. The Art Story Contributors. Available at: https://www.theartstory.org/movement/bauhaus/ (Accessed: March 19, 2023).

Pictography

Fig1. Bauhaus (2022) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus (Accessed: March 19, 2023).

Fig 2. Black columns in a landscape – the Metropolitan Museum of Art (no date) Black Columns in a Landscape. The Met. Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/484859 (Accessed: March 19, 2023).

Fig 3. Wassily Kandinsky, Composition #218 (Two Ovals) (1919), Oil on Canvas, 107 × 89 cm, Saint Petersburg, The Russian Museum

Fig 4. Bauhaus furniture history and characteristics (2022) Bauhaus Furniture History and Characteristics. Dengarden. Available at: https://dengarden.com/interior-design/Bauhaus-Furniture (Accessed: March 19, 2023).

Fig 5. Museu de Arte de São Paulo (no date) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museu_de_Arte_de_S%C3%A3o_Paulo#/media/Ficheiro:MASP_Brazil.jpg (Accessed: March 19, 2023).

Fig 6. Allen, E. (2016) 16 examples of stunning modern architecture by Oscar Niemeyer, Architectural Digest. Architectural Digest. Available at: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/stunning-modern-architecture-oscar-niemeyer (Accessed: March 19, 2023).

Fig 7. Home (no date) Three Foot Chair (1947). Home. Available at: https://www.joaquimtenreiro.com/ (Accessed: March 19, 2023).