Max Bill and Edmund Collein at the Bauhaus 1929

Editor: This is T. Lux Feininger's black and white photograph, "Max Bill and Edmund Collein at the Bauhaus". It seems like an informal snapshot, and the composition is quite striking. What do you see in this piece beyond the surface? Curator: This image is more than just a portrait; it's a document of a revolutionary time. The Bauhaus was a hotbed for challenging bourgeois norms. Feininger, son of Lyonel, captures Bill and Collein, who were actively shaping a new, less class-based society. Editor: How so? Curator: The Bauhaus approach to art and design sought to break down traditional hierarchies between fine art and craft, making design accessible to everyone regardless of class. Do you see how that philosophy might be reflected in the photo's directness? Editor: Yes, it does feel quite democratic, and the subjects’ expressions seem genuine. Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to consider the role of art in social change and the individuals who were at the forefront of that movement.