FREE_IT – AR Monuments for Diversity in Weimar
Title: WOMEN AT BAUHAUS AR
Students: Elodie Gibaud
Location: Bauhaus Museum
Project description:
Elodie Gibaud: The Bauhaus school represents a significant turning point in the history of education in art and design, particularly in terms of gender equality and the recognition of women in creative professions. The pioneering work of the Bauhaus in promoting women in the arts and their willingness to overcome traditional boundaries has had a lasting impact on art history. By honouring and restoring the legacy of the women of the Bauhaus, we are not only helping to restore historical justice, but also inspiring future generations to fight for a more equitable and diverse artistic world.
The Women of the Bauhaus:
E. G.: The Bauhaus School of Art and Design, founded in Germany in 1919, played a crucial role in the development of women's roles in the visual arts and architecture [1]. At a time when women were often excluded from academic institutions and artistic professions dominated by men, the Bauhaus School was a pioneer in creating an equal environment where women's talents were fully recognised and encouraged.
Women at the Bauhaus were actively involved in a diverse range of artistic disciplines, from painting and sculpture to photography, textile design and architecture. They were encouraged to experiment, innovate and push the boundaries of traditional artistic conventions. Personalities such as Anni Albers, Gunta Stölzl, Marianne Brandt and Gertrud Arndt [2] not only left lasting impressions through their remarkable works, but also helped to shape the fundamental principles of the Bauhaus school.
The significance of the work of women at the Bauhaus lies in their ability to challenge established norms and introduce new perspectives into the world of art and design. Their creations were often characterised by experimental approaches, a fusion of art and functionality and a flair for modern materials and emerging industrial production methods.
Nevertheless, despite their significant influence on modern art history, women's contributions to the Bauhaus have often been underrepresented and their achievements minimised in dominant historical narratives. To this day, their influences and legacy are sometimes obscured by the more recognisable male names associated with the Bauhaus.
It is important to recognise and celebrate their work not only for their artistic influence, but also for their contribution to the advancement of women's rights in art and society in general. By bringing their history and legacy to the forefront, we can better understand and appreciate the diversity and creativity they brought to the Bauhaus through their works and innovative ideas.
The Presentation:
E. G.: By honouring the women of the Bauhaus through the feminisation of its logo, I wish to highlight their crucial and often underappreciated contributions within this historic institution. The Bauhaus school marked a turning point in the history of art and design by promoting gender equality and providing women with an environment in which their talents could fully blossom.
Bauhaus women played a central role in various artistic and technical fields, from architecture and textile design to photography and the visual arts [3]. They not only enriched the modern movement through innovation and experimentation, but also helped to redefine the aesthetic and functional standards of their time. Personalities such as Anni Albers, a pioneer of abstract textile design, and Marianne Brandt, known for her work in metal and glass, left a lasting legacy that continues to influence future generations.
This initiative to feminise the Bauhaus logo aims to recognise and celebrate their undeniable impact on the development of modern art. By reaffirming her presence and significant contribution, we are contributing to a critical reassessment of art history that has often neglected or minimised her role. It is also a call for greater recognition and inclusion of female voices in dominant historical and cultural narratives.
In this way, by honouring her legacy, I want to draw attention to a deeper appreciation of her innovative work and her fight against gender bias and barriers. It is a reminder that her legacy should be celebrated not only for her artistic influence, but also for her role in promoting equality and diversity in the arts and beyond. Through this initiative, we hope to encourage future generations to continue the fight for equitable representation and recognition of all creative contributions.
The Bauhaus Museum:
E. G.: The placement of the feminised Bauhaus logo in front of the Bauhaus Museum has significant symbolic and historical meaning. This act not only recognises and celebrates the often neglected contributions of women to this revolutionary institution, but also reinforces their place in the historical narrative of art and modern design.
The Bauhaus Museum in Weimar, the highly symbolic place where the school was founded and its ideas took shape, is strategically important to this initiative [4]. It was here that the revolutionary principles of the Bauhaus were developed and taught, marking a turning point in the history of architecture, design and visual art. By placing the feminised logo in front of this museum, we are publicly acknowledging the important role of women in this movement, which is often relegated to the background in traditional narratives.
Furthermore, the Bauhaus Museum attracts visitors from all over the world, from art and design students to history and culture enthusiasts. The feminised logo could thus serve as a starting point for discussions about gender equality, diversity in the arts and the need to recognise historically marginalised contributions by women artists and designers.
Ultimately, this initiative could inspire other cultural institutions to rethink and reassess the inclusivity of their own historical narratives. By placing the feminised logo in front of the Bauhaus Museum, we are sending a strong message about the importance of gender equality in the world of art and design and encouraging a more balanced and respectful representation of all the creative voices that have shaped our shared cultural heritage [5].
[1] Muscheler, Ursula. Mutter, Muse und Frau Bauhaus: Die Frauen um Walter Gropius. München: Artemis & Winkler, 2019
[2] Costabile-Heming, Carol Anne. „Rezension von 4 “Bauhausmädels”: Gertrud Arndt, Marianne Brandt, Margarete Heumann, Margaretha Reichardt, herausgegeben vom Angermuseum Erfurt et al.“ Feminist German Studies, University of Nebraska Press, Band 37, Nummer 2, Herbst/Winter 2021, S. 113-115.
[3] Müller, Ulrike. "Die Frauen am Bauhaus." Emma bleibt mutig, 1. September 2009, aktualisiert am 31. März 2021.
[4] Droste, Magdalena. Bauhaus, 1919-1933. Köln: Taschen, 2006.
[5] MacNeill, Kate, Amanda Coles, Jordan Beth Vincent, Ana Kokkinos, and Mira Robertson. "Promoting gender equality through the arts and creative industries: a review of case studies and evidence." Vichealth.vic.gov.au. The University of Melbourne, Deakin University, n.d.