Bauhaus facts for kids
The Bauhaus was a very famous design school in Germany. It taught students from 1919 to 1933. Many people think it was the most important art school of the 20th century. It helped create a style called modernism. The school was best known for teaching painting, photography, advertising, weaving, architecture, and how to design furniture and household items. The art and designs made there, and its teaching methods, influenced art, design, photography, architecture, and art education all over the world.
The school was officially called "Staatliches Bauhaus" from 1919 to 1932. This was because the government paid for it during that time. From 1919 to 1925, it was in Weimar, in the state of Thuringia. Then, from 1926 to 1932, it moved to Dessau, in the state of Sachsen-Anhalt. After that, it became a private school in Berlin from late 1932 until April 1933.
Some of the most famous artists and architects of the 20th century worked there. These included Walter Gropius, who started the school. Other famous teachers were Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Wassily Kandinsky, Lyonel Feininger, Paul Klee, László Moholy-Nagy, Marcel Breuer, Josef Albers, Anni Albers, Oskar Schlemmer, and Hannes Meyer.
The old Bauhaus buildings in Weimar and Dessau are now a World Heritage Site. This means they are protected by UNESCO because they are very important to history and culture. They were given this special status in 1996.
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What Was the Bauhaus School?
The Bauhaus was a special school that changed how people thought about art and design. It was not just about making pretty things. It was about making useful and beautiful things for everyday life. The teachers believed that art, crafts, and technology should all work together. They wanted to create a new way of living and designing after World War I.
The school taught many different subjects. Students learned about painting, photography, and how to make advertisements. They also learned weaving, architecture, and how to design furniture. Even everyday items like lamps and teapots were designed at the Bauhaus. The goal was to make good design available to everyone.
A New Way to Learn
The Bauhaus had a unique way of teaching. Students started with a basic course that taught them about materials, colors, and shapes. Then, they chose a workshop to specialize in. These workshops were like small factories. Students learned by doing, working with their hands. They made real products, not just drawings.
The teachers were famous artists and designers. They encouraged students to experiment and be creative. They wanted students to think about how their designs would be used. This hands-on learning helped students become skilled in both art and craft.
Where Was the Bauhaus Located?
The Bauhaus school moved to different cities in Germany during its time. Each city played an important part in its history.
Weimar: The Beginning
The school first opened in 1919 in the city of Weimar. This city was known for its rich history of art and culture. Walter Gropius started the school here. He wanted to combine different art schools into one. The early years in Weimar focused a lot on crafts and traditional art forms.
Dessau: A New Home
In 1926, the Bauhaus moved to Dessau. A brand new building was designed specifically for the school by Walter Gropius. This building became a famous example of Bauhaus architecture. In Dessau, the school focused more on industry and mass production. They wanted to design things that could be made in factories.
Berlin: The Final Chapter
The school faced problems as political changes happened in Germany. In 1932, the government stopped funding the school in Dessau. So, the Bauhaus moved to Berlin. It became a private school, meaning it had to find its own money. However, it only lasted a few months there. The school was forced to close in April 1933 by the Nazis. They did not like the modern ideas of the Bauhaus.
Who Were the Famous Teachers?
Many brilliant artists and designers taught at the Bauhaus. They came from different backgrounds and brought their unique ideas to the school.
- Walter Gropius: He was an architect and the founder of the Bauhaus. He believed in combining art and technology.
- Wassily Kandinsky: A famous painter, he taught about color theory and abstract art.
- Paul Klee: Another well-known painter, he taught about form and design principles.
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: A famous architect, he was the last director of the Bauhaus. He was known for his simple, modern buildings.
- László Moholy-Nagy: He was a photographer and designer. He explored new ways of using light and materials.
- Marcel Breuer: A student who became a teacher, he designed famous furniture like the Wassily Chair.
- Josef Albers and Anni Albers: They were known for their work in color and textile design.
These teachers helped shape the unique style and ideas of the Bauhaus. They encouraged students to think differently about art and design.
Why Was the Bauhaus Important?
The Bauhaus had a huge impact on the world. Even though it only existed for 14 years, its ideas spread everywhere.
Influence on Design and Architecture
The Bauhaus style is known for being simple, clean, and functional. It uses basic shapes like squares, circles, and triangles. Colors are often primary (red, blue, yellow) or neutral (black, white, gray). This style influenced buildings, furniture, and everyday objects around the world. Many modern buildings you see today have roots in Bauhaus ideas.
Impact on Art Education
The way the Bauhaus taught art was also very new. They focused on practical skills and problem-solving. This approach changed how art and design are taught in schools even today. Many art schools around the world adopted parts of the Bauhaus teaching methods.
A Global Legacy
When the Bauhaus closed, many of its teachers and students moved to other countries. They took their ideas with them. This helped spread Bauhaus principles to places like the United States and Israel. The "White City" in Tel Aviv, Israel, has many buildings designed in the Bauhaus style. This shows how far its influence reached.
The Bauhaus was more than just a school. It was a movement that changed how we see and create the world around us.
Images for kids
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Typography by Herbert Bayer above the entrance to the workshop block of the Bauhaus Dessau, 2005
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Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius (1883–1969)
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Poster for the Bauhausaustellung (1923)
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The main building of the Bauhaus-University Weimar. Built between 1904 and 1911 and designed by Henry van de Velde to house the sculptors' studio at the Grand Ducal Saxon Art School, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
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Mechanical Stage Design by Joost Schmidt, 1925
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Chair by Erich Dieckmann, 1925
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Wassily Chairs by Marcel Breuer (1925–1926)
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An Olivetti Studio 42 typewriter, designed by Bauhausler Xanti Schawinsky in 1936
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The Bauhaus Museum in Tel Aviv
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A Bauhaus-style building with "thermometer" windows on Pines Street in Tel Aviv
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See also
In Spanish: Escuela de la Bauhaus para niños
