Ever walked into Ikea and thought to yourself – “Wow, this is so modern!!!” Well, dearest reader, think again – let’s visit the 1900’s – The Bauhaus – which was established in 1919 by the architect Walter Gropius in Weimar, Germany, as a school for art and design. The goal of the artists was to adjust to the industrial age by creating functional designs and by using materials such as glass and steel. Many of the designs were exactly what you see today in modern and contemporary furniture and architecture. What we think of as ‘new and innovative’ is simply not the case. It has all been done before…especially the so-called “Modern Movement”…this is not a ‘modern’ movement at all…this dates back to the time period between WWI and WWII. The union of function and beauty being synonymous, as well as the theory/motto of “less is more”…well, Bauhaus is where it stems from. Ever neat, huh..?
Something else to ponder – especially for us Chicagoans – there is a neat little connection – many Bauhaus architects immigrated to the United States from Germany, and they contributed significantly to the development of North American architecture. Their ideas were especially well received in Chicago. In 1937, László Moholy Nagy founded the New Bauhaus, which today exists as the Institute of Design. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the last director of the Bauhaus, designed, in 1938, the entire campus for the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). The motto “less is more” is further reflected in his Federal Center and his Lake Shore Drive Apartments. The abundance of connections between German and American architecture in Chicago provides rich grounds for exploration and research. Much of this can be learned and explored at The Chicago Architecture Foundation, which offers introductory tours in English and German. Also, Navy Pier – the Architecture River Boat Cruise was established in 1983, and it is still running today – it is a must do in Chicago, and a personal favorite of mine. It is still the # 1 Architecture Tour in Chicago!!! Pretty fascinating, especially considering my last blog entry…
Something else to ponder – especially for us Chicagoans – there is a neat little connection – many Bauhaus architects immigrated to the United States from Germany, and they contributed significantly to the development of North American architecture. Their ideas were especially well received in Chicago. In 1937, László Moholy Nagy founded the New Bauhaus, which today exists as the Institute of Design. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the last director of the Bauhaus, designed, in 1938, the entire campus for the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). The motto “less is more” is further reflected in his Federal Center and his Lake Shore Drive Apartments. The abundance of connections between German and American architecture in Chicago provides rich grounds for exploration and research. Much of this can be learned and explored at The Chicago Architecture Foundation, which offers introductory tours in English and German. Also, Navy Pier – the Architecture River Boat Cruise was established in 1983, and it is still running today – it is a must do in Chicago, and a personal favorite of mine. It is still the # 1 Architecture Tour in Chicago!!! Pretty fascinating, especially considering my last blog entry…
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