Bauhaus at Barbican

Waking up in the morning, I realised I had no idea what to do today. I managed to do all my Saturday duties earlier this week and suddenly found myself without any plan. Of course I could do my usual, grab the camera and take pictures of half of the park. The only problem is that I have done this so many times before that it is becoming just the 'usual'. And that is something I do not want to happen.

This is why I reached for Crafts magazine I received yesterday and turned straight to the Review pages. And guess what, a plan was created. I read an approving article on the 'Bauhaus: Art as Life' exhibition at the Barbican multi-arts centre. A friend of mine had mentioned this to me already a few weeks earlier and the article reminded me that I actually wanted to see this exhibition. And so I booked a ticket online before noon and some hour later entered Barbican and the 'Bauhaus' show. I have not done anything this spontaneous for a long time. And what a good decision that was.

I am not going to lecture you on Bauhaus, there are more knowledgable figures for this. I can just say that I utterly enjoyed the show. I remembered my study years and wondered how well and if I would fit in Bauhaus. To see shapes simplified into geometric forms, interlacing circles in both 2D and 3D, the more defined use of colour. This exhibition also explores students & teachers relationship and lifestyle as the art form of Bauhaus manifesto. The displayed photographs reveal the life on the campus, the parties, the theatre performances, the costume design...

What started as a school (founded by Walter Gropius) with focus on painting, drawing and craft later turned to mechanical production that was still supported by hands-on approach. The focus on physical exercise and relaxation before the beginning of a lesson to release the mind, the use of play and designing toys to loosen imagination and support creativity and the idea to be self-sufficient as a whole are the key points that appealed to me the most. Bauhaus with its workshops for pottery, weaving, printing, metal, stained-glass, stone-carving and wood sculpture was more than able to design furniture, textiles, stained-glass windows and wood panelling for Adolf Sommerfeld's house in 1920. In the later years, architecture was also introduced to the curriculum and to top it up, a photography workshop was established in 1929.

With all this knowledge, it is no wonder that Bauhaus has left quite a legacy behind. What a shame that the political situation of the 1930's and the pressure from the National Socialists destroyed such well established college.

What a better fitting place to host this exhibition than the Barbican centre. Leaving the building and returning to the station through a tunnel (left), I could not resist but take few pictures. These are on my 'Photo' page so do not forget to click on the link.

Have a great Sunday, enjoyable week and see you next time. Kx