The Bauhaus

The lecture today, taught by Rhiannon, was about the influence of The Bauhaus on art and design. Previously, I had heard of the Bauhaus, however, I didn't understand it's characteristics, but moreover, the massive role it has played in the history of art. Almost all design work to this day involves some elements of the Bauhaus, particularly graphic design. We were shown multiple examples of revolutionary, ground breaking graphic design created by the masters and students of the school, all of which could easily fit in the modern day of art. The Bauhaus introduced text being placed on its side, the use of dynamic lines, and the unity of abstract shape and photography. It is incredible to think that a school that had such a short life span was able to produce, and impact art and design so heavily. 

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Wassily Kandinsky

Wassily Kandinsky was born in Moscow, in 1866 to a well-off family, before moving to Odessa. It was Odessa at which he attended grammar school, and took up drawing with a coach. Kandinsky's family wanted him to become a lawyer, so he went to the Law Faculty of Moscow University, graduating with honours 6 years later. In 1896, Kandinsky became the Professor to the Department of Law, before giving up on law, and dedicating himself to painting.
     The artist moved to Munich in 1896, where he attended Anton Azbe's private painting school. He then moved to the Munich Academy of Arts under Franz Stuck, where he was restricted to black and white, as his work was perceived as too colourful.
   After divorce, Kandinsky remarried, and travelled Europe with his new wife, Gabriela Munter, to display his work. They then settled in Murnau, where through his art, he explored abstract reality in landscapes.
    In 1901, Kandinsky founded 'Phalanx', an art group, and opened his own art school in Munich. At the time, he also created the group 'Blue Rider' with his friend Frantsem Mark. His first book, 'Concerning the Spiritual in Art', was then published in 1912. This was the first theoretical foundation of abstractionism. 
    As the war began, Kandinsky left Germany, and separated from his wife. He then remarried to Nina Andreevskaya. At this time, his work became a mix of abstract, impressionist, and romantic fantasies.
    Kandinsky was also involved in the post-revolution political and cultural development. He designed a curriculum based on the analysis of colour and form, as at the time, he was a teacher of Moscow Svomas, and Vkhutemas.
    The artist then later returned to Germany, once again,  upon invitation to teach workshops at the Bauhaus. In 1925, after the Bauhaus moved to Dessau, Kandinsky, and other artists held free painting classes. His work, then became more romantic. The Bauhaus was later closed in 1932, due to the opposing socialist campaigns. Kandinsky then moved France. Many of his paintings were lost at the time, as the Nazi's claimed his and many other artists' work to be 'degenerate'. The artist became lonely and isolated in France, which was evident in his artwork, as he moved from bold, bright colours, to muted pastels. Wassily Kandinsky died in 1944 in France.
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Links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Kandinsky
​https://www.wassilykandinsky.net/
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/russia/articles/10-artworks-by-kandinsky-you-should-know/