Bauhaus Building, Dessau, 1925-1926: Bridge hallway c. 1926

Editor: Here we see Photothek's photograph of the Bauhaus Building's bridge hallway, taken in Dessau between 1925 and 1926. The geometric composition feels very intentional and gives me a sense of the building's purpose. What can you tell us about it? Curator: Note the extensive use of glass and steel. These materials, mass-produced and readily available, facilitated the Bauhaus's radical vision of merging art with industrial production. Consider the social context: post-WWI Germany, a drive for affordable housing and functional design. Editor: So, the materials themselves drove the design principles? Curator: Precisely. The limitations and possibilities of these materials shaped the aesthetic and the building's very purpose. It was about creating a new way of living. Understanding the materials helps us understand the movement. Editor: That gives me a whole new appreciation for it! Curator: Indeed, analyzing the materiality opens doors to understanding the Bauhaus's social and artistic ambitions.