Dormitory Furniture for Rhoads Hall, Bryn Mawr College: Desk 1938

Editor: This is Marcel Breuer's "Dormitory Furniture for Rhoads Hall, Bryn Mawr College: Desk." It's wood and looks incredibly functional, almost stark. What historical context can you give us for this piece? Curator: It reflects the Bauhaus ethos, focusing on simplicity and utility. But consider its placement within a women’s college. How does this design challenge or reinforce traditional expectations of feminine spaces and labor? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It seems very egalitarian. Curator: Precisely. This design embodies a break from ornamentation, aligning with a broader movement for social reform and gender equality in education. Editor: Fascinating. Thanks for the insight! Curator: My pleasure. There's always more than meets the eye.