Bauhaus Building, Dessau, 1925-1926: Technical school stairwell landing 1926

Editor: This is a photograph of the Bauhaus Building in Dessau, taken around 1925. It shows the technical school's stairwell landing. I find the grid-like composition quite striking; what do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a deliberate construction of a utopian vision through architecture, presented as a public spectacle. The glass facade isn't just functional, it's a statement about transparency and accessibility, reflecting the Bauhaus ethos of democratizing design. Editor: Democratizing design? How so? Curator: The Bauhaus aimed to break down the barriers between art, craft, and technology. The building itself becomes a teaching tool, its structure embodying the school's principles. The image, then, is propaganda for a new way of thinking about art and its role in society. Editor: That's a really interesting way to think about this image, seeing it as a promotion of those ideals! Curator: Indeed. And it prompts us to consider the role of architecture in shaping social values and the politics embedded within seemingly simple design choices.