Bauhaus 1919-1933: Workshops for Modernity

The Bauhaus has always been familiar and, in some ways, "known" by architects and architectural educators. We inherit its legacy, with only cursory knowledge of the social and political context that allowed its rise, and ultimately denied its continuation. And yet, this book, which accompanies the show currently on view at the Museum of Modern Art, makes it clear that architects too frequently take only the gleanings of this school and movement--which comes to be known as a "style." Curators Leah Dickerman and Barry Bergdoll craft a brilliant historical narrative of the school and its influence. The essays are probing and extremely well-written. For those of us who pledge allegiance to the stunning textiles, typography, color studies, paintings, glass, architecture, and furniture (all of which are beautifully represented in the book), this is a welcome "rounding out" of our education. Louise Harpman Associate Professor of Architecture University of Texas at Austin