Bauhaus Building, Dessau, 1925-1926: View from southwest 1926 - 1927

Editor: Klaus Hertig's photographic study of the Bauhaus Building in Dessau, from 1925-1926, presents a stark, almost utopian vision. The sharp angles and smooth surfaces feel incredibly modern, even now. What do you see in this image that speaks to its historical and cultural significance? Curator: It's a hymn to functionalism, isn't it? The building’s radical simplicity, its lack of ornamentation, declared a new era. It was a rejection of the past, a brave shout for a future built on clean lines and practical spaces for artmaking. The photo itself is a bit of a performance, showing how photography could capture and celebrate this new architecture. Do you think it succeeds? Editor: Absolutely. The black and white really accentuates the geometry. I hadn't considered the photographer's role in promoting Bauhaus ideals. It's like a visual manifesto. Curator: Exactly! It makes me wonder, what manifestos will buildings of our own era inspire?