Journeymen: Migration of the Bauhauslers

A documentary about the history of the Staatliches Bauhaus made connections between the Bauhaus school, the National Socialist party and Auschwitz, and my further research revealed a surprising history encompassing Communists, a Cult and Nazis. ‘Journeymen: Migration of the Bauhauslers’ looks at the migration of the Bauhauslers in relation to their personal beliefs and how they affected the wider world in terms of design.

Many official Bauhaus websites avoid discussing the controversial themes, so I selected this hidden history as a focus, as it reflects the current political landscape globally. As in the 1920s, hard right-wing governments are popular, so it is important to reflect on the past. In exploring significant Bauhauslers’ migration stories, my intent is to celebrate the great designers but to also underline the impact that design had in affecting the course of history. Had Ertl not designed the Auschwitz gas chambers, is it possible that the course of history would have changed? Gropius’s original aim was to create a school in which industrialisation and craft combined to create outcomes to improve everyday lives – we need to use the power of design for good, to push society forward.