Design-Five Bars c. 1925 - 1935

Editor: Here we have Arthur Gerlach's photograph, "Design-Five Bars." I’m struck by the simplicity of the composition, but also the way it plays with light and shadow. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's a fascinating example of how photography, around the time of the Bauhaus, engaged with abstraction and social function. This period saw artists exploring how photography could serve as a tool for design and social change, moving away from mere representation. Editor: Social change? How so? Curator: By focusing on geometric forms, it promoted the idea that art should be accessible and integrated into everyday life, influencing design and architecture. This challenges traditional notions of art as solely for the elite. Editor: I never thought of it that way, seeing abstraction as a tool for accessibility. Curator: Precisely. And the ambiguity encourages the viewer to participate in constructing meaning, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards participatory aesthetics.