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Bauhaus Books — Vol. 1. Internationale Architektur by Walter Gropius

 

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s partial answer to the question of why the Bauhaus is known throughout the world while Vkhutemas is not, consider the Bauhaus’ achievements in publishing. Bauhaus Books was intended to be series of over 50 volumes, of which 14 saw the light of day – nine by leading Bauhaus figures, three by members of De Stijl, plus Glez’ book on Cubism and a book on Kazimir Malevich’s “non-objective world”. In addition, objects made by the school and sold to the public cast a wide-ranging influence, not to mention the effects on audiences of theater presentations and school fetes, as well as public-relations initiatives, including the organization of “Bauhaus Friends,” which included Albter Einstein, Marc Chagall and Arnold Schoenberg.

 

 

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Aleksandr Vesnin with Liubov Popova's brother

 

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he various departments of the school responded differently to the new directions in art. Some were staunchly opposed and rigorously defensive. In others, the new won out, to greater or lesser degrees. 

 

In the architecture department the Vesnin brothers’ and Ginzburg’s Constructivism came to rival the influence of Ladovsky’s rationalism. The Constructivists worked hard to legitimize their position within the department, gradually winning adherents.

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Costructivists party: A. Rodchenko, A. Gan, Sokolova-Zhemchuzhnaya, O. Rodchenko, E. Shub, V. Stepanova in Rodchenko's studio

 

Model of Worker’s Club, designed and build by Aleksandr Rodchenko and his students, at the exposition of applied and decorative arts in Paris, 1925

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or six years the Bauhaus shared a building with the more traditionalist Weimar Academy of Art in a delicate balancing act. But balance could not be sustained. The Academy eventually warred with Gropius. He fought back unsuccessfully, and was forced to move the school. The sad tale played out against a background of bohemian students and staid burghers.