Each week you will write a total of two to three pages and You must pick at least one article from the Weekly Reading folders and one film from the lecture to write about. You may also use two readings. Please make sure you include the title of the article and the film. You are also able to do extra credit worth up to 5 or ten points or extra films or articles or the extra credit from the syllabus. Attach your extra credit of at least a 1-2 page to the weekly submission for it to count. Please use the following format in either doc or pdf format:
Read Article: Bauhaus Women have been edited out of History
Week 9: Bauhaus Women have been edited out of History
The article Bauhaus Women have been edited out of History tries to shed light on the various women who have been a part of this legendary institution. The Author Catherine Slessor that many of these women have gotten their achievements swept under the rug, due to the social attitude of that time. Though Walter Gropius proclaimed that the institution will not practice ‘no difference between the beautiful and strong sex’. The statement itself brings out his stereotypical attitude towards women which was also reflected in his personal. He did not open the study of architecture to women, because he thought of them as ‘incapable of thinking in three dimensions’. Even with such an attitude the institution ended up producing brilliant female minds like Anni Albers, Benita Koche Otte, Gertrud Arndt, and Gunta Stolz (Slessor, 2018, p.2). Gunta Stozl achieved her deserved respect after moving out of Germany in Zurich where she set up a successful hand-weaving business. Her technique of employing unorthodox materials was widely appreciated. Marianne Brandt after much struggle and help from Moholy-Nagy. The toil bore fruits as Brandt went on to be recognized as one of Germany’s best industrial designers. Her mind went on to produce creations like the hugely popular Kandem Lamp. Eventually, she became the design director of Ruppelwerk Metallwarenfabrik. Political leanings of the institution also proved to be a detriment to women’s careers in Bauhaus. Anni Albers had to leave the institution during the Nazi Period. Albers became so distinguished that she got the opportunity of being the first woman to showcase her work in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The culture of the institution also snatched the due credit of many women. An example in place was Lucia Moholy. Her photographs elevated the image of Bauhaus in the contemporary media, but she had to fight a battle to gain ownership of her creation. During the Nazi attack, she was forced to flee from the country, and her photos came into the custody of Gropius. Thereafter for years, Gropius used the photos in books and exhibitions without any sort of consent or credit. In the 1960s Moholy was finally able to get back a fraction of her work. Though as time has gone by she like her contemporaries has been erased from Bauhaus’ history.
The documentary Brasilia: A Capital of Hope traces the journey of Brasilia, and its value to Brazil. After garnering independence, the primary objective of the Britishers was to get away from their Portuguese colonial past. In order to do so they rejected Rio De Janeiro which functioned as a capital in the new order. The country as a whole wanted a new capital in the center of the territory. Under the authority of Juscelino Kubitschek, the new capital of Brasil was formulated. Kubitschek was narrowly elected, and in order to increase his popularity and register his name in history, he promised to create a city during his term. The building of the city was a part of his 50-year plan for the progress of Brazil. The President promised his people that amidst the wilderness he will raise a metropolitan. To fulfill the project his close friend Oscar Niemeyer, a brilliant architect got on board. Niemeyer did not agree to limitations and was a proponent of free form. This flowy nature is evident in Brasil’s architecture. While designing Brasil Niemeyer was influenced by Modern Architecture and Rational approach. Therefore Brasil follows a modern simplicity when it comes to its construction. As promised to the public the urban plan of the new capital city was chosen by popular vote. Ultimately, Lucio Costa’s proposal was chosen. One of the reasons this plan was selected was because it was the only alternative that did not require any kind of slow progress and could be achieved at a fast pace. The plan was modeled like an airplane surrounded by the Green Belt. The plan also includes Government Offices and Businesses. The higher-density housing was shifted to the north. A ton of land was devoted to public use like parks and schools. Commercial Area encircled the Residential area so that the settled people do not find it hard to commute from their homes to their places of work. In order to facilitate the use of transport big highways were built which were separated from pedestrian areas. The buildings were modern and constructed from primary materials like Bricks, Plaster, and Concrete. The City was titled ‘City Of Hope’ as it aimed to house people willing to work regardless of racial or social stature.
Reference
Slessor, C, (2018), Bauhaus women have been edited out of history, Dezeen, 1-11
