Bauhaus Body and Movement: Exploring the Triadic Ballet by Kathryn Ann Scheuring B.A. in History of Art and Architecture, May 20
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Bauhaus Body and Movement: Exploring the Triadic Ballet by Kathryn Ann Scheuring B.A. in History of Art and Architecture, May 2013, University of Pittsburgh A Thesis submitted to The Faculty of The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences of The George Washington University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts May 21, 2017 Thesis directed by Clare Brown Program Head, Master of Arts in Exhibition Design Assistant Professor Abstract of Thesis Bauhaus Body and Movement Oskar Schlemmer’s dance production Triadic Ballet is, within the context of Bauhaus design history, relatively unknown. Despite Triadic Ballet being odd, over-the- top, or seemingly self-indulgent, it is actually a perfect case study of the core principles and exploratory goals of the Bauhaus school. Looking closely at Triadic Ballet and Oskar Schlemmer’s dance classroom can move us past the mainstream concept of “Bauhaus aesthetics” - primary colors, simple shapes, diagonals, and san-serif lowercase type. It can reveal a deeper level of the Bauhaus’ history - a look into student life and its informal, experimental, and free-flowing creativity. Bauhaus fundamentals can be found in Triadic Ballet as much as in any examples of graphic design, product design, and fine art created at the school. Emphasis on human studies is especially important in Oskar Schlemmer’s dance productions, as they are in the well-known products and legacies of the Bauhaus. Bauhaus Body and Movement will explore the theater workshop at the Bauhaus school, specifically as it existed under the leadership of Oskar Schlemmer from around 1922-1925. This exploration will demonstrate the early human studies that continue to influence the way we view forms, figures, and movement in today’s design world. It will show the relationship between the Bauhaus’ experimental theater workshop and especially Triadic Ballet - a relatively unknown topic - to what we view as core Bauhaus design principles. Implementing both demonstrations and opportunities for interaction, !ii the visitor will experience the experimental and informal culture of the original Bauhaus Theater as they discover how human-centered design principles found in the dance performances can be experienced in their own bodies’ movement. After exploring a unique, vibrant design movement that was ahead of its time, visitors will leave with a basic understanding of Bauhaus principles and culture in the context of a memorable case study. !iii Table of Contents Abstract of Thesis…………………………………………………………………………ii Mission/Message………………………………………………………………….……….1 Relevance………………………………………………………………………………….3 Research……………………………………………………………………………….…..5 Experience…….…………………………………………………………..……………….7 Site…….…………………………………………………………………………………..8 Audience…….….………………………………………………………………………..10 Interpretive Strategy………….…………………………………………………………..12 Content Narrative………….……………………………………………………………..13 Design Strategy………….…………………………………………………..…….……..15 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………..20 Appendix I: Precedents………….…………….……………………………………..…..21 Appendix II: Site Exploration………………………………………………………..…..23 !iv Mission/Message For those who know little about the Bauhaus, it tends to spark interest - “Where did this thing come from?!” and as for those familiar with what are considered Bauhausian aesthetics, they are often surprised at the source. Triadic Ballet is unique not only in the context of the Bauhaus school, but unique for its time period, and perhaps most amazingly, unique across all modern art and design. Triadic Ballet could have been created in the 1930’s, the 60’s, the 90’s, or last month, and would have the same effect — an experimental, one of a kind performance with more theory behind it than meets the eye. The design of Bauhaus Body and Movement will show the depth of Oskar Schlemmer’s theater creations, past their entertainment value. Though at first it is seemingly vastly different from what the Bauhaus is typically remembered for — clean, minimal architecture, monochromatic poster artwork, and functionally-centered housewares — the exhibition’s message will show that it is more closely tied to the Bauhaus’ design principles than at first meets the eye. The content will prove, in fact, that — more than many of the well known products of the Bauhaus — Triadic Ballet presents a full case study of the Bauhaus’ most important and fundamental principles. Theories and goals that the founders and first professors at the German art school can be found clearly in the performance itself, as well as its choreography, costume design, music, and the thorough documentation Oskar Schlemmer and others produced on the subject. This !1 exhibition will express the relevance of the Triadic Ballet - showcasing how it demonstrates and even adds depth and richness to the Bauhaus’ design legacy. Close attention to human factors is an especially important part of the Bauhaus principles exemplified in Triadic Ballet. Ergonomics and early universal design principles can easily be found in some of the Bauhaus’ most famous lasting products — Marcel Breuer’s chair designs, emphasizing comfort, ease of use, and efficient manufacturing ability; Adolf Meyer’s comfortable, easy to use door handles; and Anni Albers’ textiles made usable in any home. These are the innovations that make the Bauhaus school so important in design history, and its products so ubiquitous to our everyday lives. Though at first (or even second) glance Triadic Ballet is vastly different from furniture and textile design from the Bauhaus, on closer inspection one can find evidence of serious consideration of human factors in its design. Oskar Schlemmer and his students spent time carefully studying the mechanics of body movement and the ways a dance performance could harness its full expressive capabilities. The dance theater classroom at the Bauhaus took ergonomic principles to their next level — from purely functional applications to beautiful expressions of the human body’s mechanics and movement. The teachers and students of the theater classroom demonstrate clearly the creative enthusiasm that was central to Bauhaus culture and its student life. Behind the functional, aesthetically pure industrial and fine art products of the school was a vibrant, fun-loving student and faculty body. The Bauhaus’ mission, more than creating new combinations of art and functional forms, was to create an informal environment for bright young minds to thrive and create in a difficult period of German history. The !2 freedom and fun of Bauhaus culture can be seen immediately in students snapshots and diary entries. It succeeded in more than its design legacy — it opened a door for creativity that may not have been otherwise possible in 1920’s Germany. Triadic Ballet provides a clear example of not only design fundamentals important to the Bauhaus, but of the vibrancy and creative freedom of the school and students. The mission, therefore, is to show Triadic Ballet’s multi-faceted value within the Bauhaus’ design legacy. Demonstrating its connection to Bauhaus design fundamentals as well as to the school’s priority of human studies will reveal its importance beyond surface-level entertainment value. By showing well-known Bauhaus design principles through this exuberant, colorful, and quirky performance, the content will also highlight the creatively free and enthusiastic student life at the famous art school. Relevance Whether or not they have previous knowledge of Bauhaus design, those who view Triadic Ballet are captivated by its bizarre costumes and strangely calculated choreography. Beyond face value, it is key to this exhibition to convey the performance’s importance to the design world, as well as the theories and principles it can teach. Viewers might be surprised and interested to find a depth to this strange dance performance. Weird things are always fascinating, as is discovering at first unseen depths to works of art. In particular, human studies will always present a relatable level to a !3 piece of art, no matter the form. Human factors and ergonomics affect virtually everyone. Every movement we make and everything that we create is influenced by an understanding of the human body and its potential. Human centered design determines the usability, accessibility, and success of products and experiences in daily life. In nearly every profession or activity, awareness of human factors will play an integral role. Experiencing Oskar Schlemmer’s Bauhaus theater workshop will call attention to the essentials that make up human centered design, and how results of these studies influence everyone in the modern world. Triadic Ballet is especially surprising and impressive in its relevance when considering the year it debuted: 1923. Nearly one hundred years old, Triadic Ballet presents the epitome of a timeless performance piece. Upcoming 2023 will mark the 100th anniversary of Oskar Schlemmer’s creation, providing an excellent opportunity to expose new viewers to Triadic Ballet and to explore the complexities and themes that make it so compelling. Bauhaus Body and Movement intends to be not only an exploration of the Bauhaus theater workshop and its productions, but as a celebration of the creativity and energetic student life. A 100th anniversary provides the perfect setting for this celebration. The site of this exhibition, which will be detailed further in this paper, provides a setting to demonstrate the Triadic Ballet’s relevance to design history to an audience already interested and