Bauhaus Building, Dessau, 1925-1926: View from the north during construction 1925 - 1926

Curator: This is a photograph, taken by Photothek, documenting the Bauhaus Building in Dessau, Germany, as it was being constructed between 1925 and 1926. Editor: It looks so stark, even unfinished. It's all sharp angles and grids, like a machine dreaming of becoming a building. Curator: Precisely! The design embodies the Bauhaus principles: functionality, clean lines, and the integration of art, craft, and technology. Look at the sheer glass curtain wall—a radical departure from traditional architecture. Editor: I see the promise of light and openness, but also a certain coldness. Does it invite you in or simply present itself? Curator: Perhaps both. The Bauhaus aimed to democratize design, to create functional spaces for everyone. The photographic style is equally important: it celebrates the new architecture and is thus aligned with the new vision. Editor: I guess that’s the enduring tension, isn't it? Between utopian ideals and the sometimes unsettling reality of pure form. The photographer helps emphasize the ideal of the moment. Curator: Exactly. Considering the political environment in Germany at that time, its cultural and artistic impact is especially inspiring. Editor: Yes, it shows the new age, where people dared to create. It's a testament to the power of design.