About

I:

After visiting the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) last year, where I encountered a small collection of works on the 5th floor that left a lasting impression on me.  Thus, I started looking into the 1880s-1940s Bauhaus design that touch on simple, harmoniously balanced geometries in the service of functional efficiency for the modern home and office, such as the Wassily chair designed by Marcel Breuer.

The chair was dubbed the “Wassily” after the painter Wassily Kandinsky, Breuer’s friend and fellow Bauhaus instructor. Along with Paul Klee, were both prominent painters associated with the Bauhaus movement. They shared an interest in abstraction and the use of color as a means of expression was a key influence on the development of modern art.

II:

As a photographer, it is important to be aware of the history and evolution of photography as an art form. The Bauhaus movement was a significant influence on the development of modern photography, and two of the most important photographers associated with the movement were Man Ray and László Moholy-Nagy. Both artists were known for their experimentation with new techniques and technologies, such as photograms and solarization, and their interest in the abstract qualities of light and shadow. They were also influenced by the Bauhaus's emphasis on the integration of form and function, and their work often reflected this principle through its use of geometric shapes and modern materials. By studying the work of artists like Man Ray and László Moholy-Nagy, photographers can gain a deeper understanding of the principles that have shaped the development of photography as an art form and learn new techniques and approaches to their own work.

Like the Bauhaus artists, Wolfgang Tillmans is interested in experimenting with new techniques and technologies, often incorporating digital manipulation and other unconventional approaches into his work. He is also interested in the relationship between form and function, and many of his photographs feature everyday objects arranged in abstract and unexpected ways, as the work Free Swimmer 54 included in this collection. Additionally, Tillmans is interested in the social and political implications of photography, and his work often explores issues such as identity, sexuality, and globalization.

III:

I continued to delve into the principles of the Bauhaus movement and its enduring influence. I also became increasingly interested in the experimental nature of the movement which led me to consider installations in my collection. Came to the realization that my early collection of artworks was limited in its representation of diverse artists. In order to create a more diverse and inclusive collection, I sought out works specifically by female artists who extended the influence of the Bauhaus movement and resonates with me. Sarah Sze: Timekeeper, Li Hui: V, Doris Salcedo: Shibboleth, and Chiharu Shiota: Letter of Love, all these artists share a commitment to experimentation and a willingness to push the boundaries of traditional forms and materials. They also share a concern with the relationship between space, form, and emotion, and a deep interest in the ways in which art can reflect and shape our understanding of the world around us.

Overall, this collection reflects my understanding of the Bauhaus movement's emphasis on the integration of modernism and experimentation.

More to see, more to come, the Bauhaus and beyond.