The New Bauhaus 2019
Distributed by Good Docs
Produced by Alysa Nahmias, Petter Ringbom, Marquise Stillwell, and Erin Wright
Directed by Alysa Nahmias
Streaming, 89 mins
College - General Adult
Art; Design; Documentary
Date Entered: 07/29/2020
Reviewed by Johnnie N. Gray, Technology Services Librarian, Christopher Newport UniversityThe New Bauhaus is a well-done tribute to its founder, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. Excellent production and writing make this a worthy film for use in any art history course or for those interested in modern art. Interviews with relatives and students of Moholy-Nagy frame the story of his life and his contribution to German and American art and design. Firsthand interviews from students taught at the New Bauhaus fondly remember assignments and show pictures of what they were told to work on. The philosophy to unlearn and relearn design took many of his students by surprise as Moholy-Nagy encouraged students to look with the eyes of a child. The underlying philosophy regarding art and design was for that of social betterment. Not only is the breadth of artwork from Moholy-Nagy shown from galleries and archives (but that of his students is shown alongside his) where the influence of his role as teacher shines.
It provides essential and interesting insight into Bauhaus as a movement and the approach to teaching. Very much a tribute to Moholy-Nagy, the viewer is left with the evidence that he was a visionary and very much ahead of his time. Easily utilized in the classroom in high school and at college level due to the story and visuals.