Bauhaus and politics

The presentation sheds light on the political dimension of the famous avantgarde school from 1919 to 1933. In addition to revolutionising art and design, the Bauhaus also served as a field of experimentation for social utopias and dealing with political systems. The question of the freedom of science and art is more relevant today than ever.

The Bauhaus existed as an avant-garde school from 1919 to 1933 in Weimar, Dessau and Berlin. In August 1933, it decided to disband under pressure from the Nazi regime. Why an exhibition on ‘Bauhaus and politics’ now?

There is certainly nothing easy about this theme. The school was a place for students and teachers to think about more than just art, architecture and design. After the experience of the First World War and the transition to the Weimar Republic, it was also about shaping a new liberal, democratic society.  As an institution, the Bauhaus had to deal with different political conditions in order to secure its existence. In addition, political developments had a direct impact on internal school matters.  

Our exhibition deals with the developments at the three locations Weimar, Dessau and Berlin and shows how important the freedom of science and art still are today.