Bauhaus Forever.

How to understand the legacy of the Bauhaus school in the contemporary moment? Director Nico Weber’s essayistic documentary approaches the question through spatiality and materiality. Under examination is the Bauhaus-Archiv in Berlin, which houses the largest collection of Bauhaus artefacts and documentation in the world. The archive is undergoing a major renovation, which gives the documentarist and the archive employees an opportunity to reflect on the living legacy of Bauhaus.

The documentary unravels in seven chapters, interestingly combining interviews, abstract image and sonorous soundscape composed specifically for the project. Weber emphasizes that above all Bauhaus is a comprehensive ideal – not just a style. One of the interviewees contends that she discontent with status quo manifests in Bauhaus’ aim to experimentate and seek after a pure form. In what ways in the contemporary cultural and political moment can the ideal of the school of  Bauhaus – the strive for societal change through artistic experimentation – be kept alive?

Saara Tuusa

Director Nico Weber will be a guest at Espoo Ciné and will participate in the film’s screening on Friday 28 August.