Bauhaus.Journal 2015/2016

2015 /2016

Magazine of the English www.uni-weimar.de Bauhaus-Universität Weimar edition

3 Dear Readers,

In this issue of the BAUHAUS.JOURNAL, we individuals at the communal dinners, and will take a closer look at the details. For it also got involved in the Syrian-German cul- is the personal experiences and views of tural exchange himself. He now runs Arabic students and instructors that help to create courses at the university. His credo: »If you the unique atmosphere at a university. This help someone—and this is a fundamental publication considers a cross section of life at principle for me—then someone will also the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, a distillate help you too one day.« of countless stories both long and short that Finding a story and describing this— also reach beyond Weimar. both in text and images—always says a great »So much has happened and I have met deal about the person telling the story. Hence so many fantastic people. A multitude of ab- we share a story about ourselves in this is- solute angels without whom I could never sue of the BAUHAUS.JOURNAL—about the have managed all this,« writes Felix Bieber passion involved in »magazine making«. We on his website. We found his idea of setting were fortunate enough to win two members up his own ice cream production company of the »Epilog« editorial team, a magazine so gutsy that we simply had to report about established at the university that covers is- it (page 12). Bieber ﬁ rst discovered his pas- sues relating to contemporary culture. Edi- sion for ice cream making during his degree in tor Fabian Ebeling and graphic designer Viola media art. He now wishes to make his dream Kristin Steinberg carefully considered every a reality. Bieber’s story also says a great deal last detail, devoting themselves with a great about the approach to studying in Weimar. deal of love and dedication. Media culture Four instructors discussed the transfer graduate Andrea Karle provided fantastic of knowledge at the university during a round ideas for the magazine and shared her clear table discussion on »good teaching«. Thank- vision. And our photographer Marcus Glahn fully, all were keen to share their thoughts. always had the right angle when it came to They rapidly came to the conclusion that creating less-than-ordinary illustrations for there is no patent recipe for a successful lec- the articles. My heartfelt thanks to the en- ture. Rather, students need sufﬁ cient space tire editorial team as well as to all those who to be able to develop their own thoughts and contributed to the magazine. views. It was also clear to them all that if students begin reaching for their smartphones during a seminar, then something has clearly gone wrong. Read from page 14 on what else is different at the Bauhaus-Universität Wei- Have a look and see for yourself mar beside the subject cultures. which details we uncovered during Ahmad Naji’s story is both unusual our search. and yet at the same time »entirely normal«: he came to Weimar from Syria as a refugee I wish you a thoroughly enjoyable read! (page 39 onwards). He rapidly learned Ger- man during one of the courses organised and Claudia Weinreich held by student volunteers, met like-minded Editor-in-Chief

EDITORIAL 8 6 20 39 34 48 News from: News from: News from: News from: STUDENT PROJECTS RESEARCH UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY & TEACHING & PARTNERS 22 36 8 To the point New faces at the 50 Living in Weimar Critical practices, posthumanism, university The all-round patent transformation rituals— What options exist for self-determined doctoral students at »KOMA« outline Four professors introduce themselves 360-degree product images at the click of living? University researchers and students their projects in 90 seconds a button—thanks to an invention developed seek solutions at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar 39 12 25 At home abroad 52 What remains? Bieber-fever Ahmad Naji explains why he feels at The new modern era Industrialized apartment blocks home in Weimar 25 From student to entrepreneur: Urban planning students consider the and sprawling housing estates should not Felix Bieber’s career journey disappear from our collective memory controversies surrounding Weimar’s new 43 Bauhaus Museum 14 29 La familia Bauhaus 55 » It’s all about Closer than close Countless alumni return to the Bauhaus- Universität Weimar after graduating. neudeli turns 15 gaining How high-resolution scanning Three of them share their thoughts on electron microscopy is revolutionising why this is The start-up hub is celebrating its th experience« concrete research 15 anniversary What does »good« teaching actually involve? A round table discussion with four instructors from different 57 46 disciplines 57 31 One university, Timeless avant- » We must many names empower artists The Weimar art schools through gardism the ages Five volumes of the former lifestyle for discourse« magazine »die neue linie« are now available Prof. Dr. Frank Hartmann on the doctoral for viewing in the University Library programme at the Faculty of Art and Design 61 » Universities provide training for Our cover illustration is by Tina Kaden. To see more work by the visual a future that is 62 communication graduate, please visit her unknown to us all« blog: aufdiefaust.tumblr.com 61 Impressum Closing remarks from the President (Rector) of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke CONTENTS 39 34 48 News from: News from: UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY & PARTNERS 36 New faces at the 50 university The all-round patent Four professors introduce themselves 360-degree product images at the click of a button—thanks to an invention developed at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar 39 At home abroad 52 Ahmad Naji explains why he feels at home in Weimar The new modern era Urban planning students consider the controversies surrounding Weimar’s new 43 Bauhaus Museum La familia Bauhaus 55 Countless alumni return to the Bauhaus- Universität Weimar after graduating. Three of them share their thoughts on neudeli turns 15 why this is The start-up hub is celebrating its 15th anniversary 57 46 57 One university, Timeless avant- many names The Weimar art schools through gardism the ages Five volumes of the former lifestyle magazine »die neue linie« are now available for viewing in the University Library 61 » Universities provide training for a future that is 62 unknown to us all« 61 Impressum Closing remarks from the President (Rector) of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke CONTENTS 15 SEPTEMBER 2016 9 JUNE 2016 11 FEBRUARY 2016 8 OCTOBER 2015 The »Projektil« lecture series celebrated its 7 During »Berlin Art Week«, tenth anniversary with an art and design fes- The Faculty of Architecture Media architecture students the university gallery tival. and Urbanism organised the developed interactive light in- »marke.6« shows works by new »go4spring« format in stallations for the »CITY 8 JUNE 2016 the Grafe Creative Prize An exhibition in the University Library cel- which work from the 2015 / 16 VISIONS Festival« in Jena. winner at the »Positions Berlin ebrated the eleventh anniversary of the winter semester is presented. Art Fair«. »KINOHEFT« cinema periodical in which typographical and artistic works on ﬁ lm cri- tiques are published.

11 MAY 2016 Architecture and urban planning students showcased impressions from their studies abroad in the exhibition »Excerpts from the Mobility Seminar«.

9 MARCH 2016

Robin Weißenborn was 1 SEPTEMBER 2015 honoured in the competition Architecture students won fi rst prize for »100 Best Posters of 2015«. their »Gates to Freedom« in the competition His winning entry has been on for the 2017 Reformation celebrations in Wittenberg. display in the Berlin Kultur- forum at Potsdamer Platz since June 2016. teaching & 10 JUNE 2015 ght, 3) ght, i Students from the F.A. Finger Institute built a concrete 14 OCTOBER 2015 BACK A LOOK LOOK A 14 JULY 2016 The Teaching Prize for outstanding achieve- canoe and christened it in For the »summaery 2016«, the faculties at the ments in scientifi c and artistic fi elds in ad- Schwanseebad swimming pool. ght, 2); Thomas Bock (r Thomas 2); ght, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar opened their i dition to particularly creative and effective ateliers, workrooms, laboratories and work- teaching methods was awarded to Prof. shops for the tenth time under the common Rainer Gumpp, Prof. Barbara Schönig, Prof. »summaery« name. Steffen de Rudder, Prof. Reinhard Illge, guest researcher Martina Fineder, and Dr. Simon 14 JULY 2016 Frisch. ght, 1); David Heathon (r Heathon David 1); ght,

Students of the Faculty of Art and Design i and Faculty of Media hosted »VORLADUNG 8 OCTOBER 2015 ZUM VERHÖR« [»SUMMONS TO INTERRO- The Student Council hosted the Campusfest GATION«], a media confrontation of art and Cometogether at which university projects criminal law by performance artist, Pyotr and initiatives were presented at the start of Pavlensky. the semester. t, 2); Henry Sowinski (r Henry Sowinski 2); t, f

2 JUNE 2015 Christian Rothe’s book »Because he was he, because I was I« was voted one of the best t, 1); Robin Weißenborn (le Weißenborn Robin 1); t, f book designs in 2015 by the Stiftung Buch- kunst. Images: Freya Reimers (le Reimers Freya Images: Student projects projects Student 15 SEPTEMBER 2016 9 JUNE 2016 11 FEBRUARY 2016 8 OCTOBER 2015 The »Projektil« lecture series celebrated its 7 During »Berlin Art Week«, tenth anniversary with an art and design fes- The Faculty of Architecture Media architecture students the university gallery tival. and Urbanism organised the developed interactive light in- »marke.6« shows works by new »go4spring« format in stallations for the »CITY 8 JUNE 2016 the Grafe Creative Prize An exhibition in the University Library cel- which work from the 2015 / 16 VISIONS Festival« in Jena. winner at the »Positions Berlin ebrated the eleventh anniversary of the winter semester is presented. Art Fair«. »KINOHEFT« cinema periodical in which typographical and artistic works on ﬁ lm cri- tiques are published.

11 MAY 2016 Architecture and urban planning students showcased impressions from their studies abroad in the exhibition »Excerpts from the Mobility Seminar«.

9 MARCH 2016

by the municipal housing association, Weima- GmbH was content with its modest student TEXT rer Wohnstätte GmbH. This subsidiary owned clientele. The students always repaired a Fabian Ebeling by the town is required to operate in the black. great deal in their homes for themselves and Which is why it sometimes sells off buildings were glad to only have to pay low rents,« to the highest bidder. The outcome is refur- said Löffl er. However, she also recognises the Living bishment and the associated rent increas- town’s efforts to combat the rising prices: »In es. »For a long time, Weimarer Wohnstätte Weimar, the problem has been recognised and a concept developed to combat the rising rent costs. This is certainly positive — after all, other medium-sized towns with similar problems haven’t addressed this issue.« The lack of af ordable housing is After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in in architecture, Löffl er completed a Master’s de- increasingly a subject of public gree in urban studies, following this up with a Master’s degree in architecture. Together debate all across Germany. At the with a group of like-minded individuals, the mother of a one-year-old daughter has also Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, acquired a plot outside of the town centre. As a housing syndicate, the stakeholders have converted an old factory building into a num- students and student initiatives are ber of residential units. »I took a great many tools away with me from my architecture addressing this problem and studies, and these are now proving extremely useful. They include design techniques, seeking solutions — also beyond along with an understanding of construction processes, costs and trades, but above all the ability to see a future in the unused their own four walls. and to simply create a plan for this space,« says Löffl er of the infl uence of her training on her current residential project. The Master’s thesis for her architecture degree could also hardly have been more practical: it is entitled »Regeneration of a conversion site. A residential project for Weimar«. »My studies allow Weimar me to give an expert opinion. What’s more, I think it’s a good thing when students use the knowledge they have gained to infl uence social processes.« A shabby yet cosy room with worn wooden »Weimar has grown since 1990 and there However, Löffl er notes in her work that fl ooring and a coal stove behind a crumbling are estimates foreseeing growth of up to many of the tools used by the town of Weimar façade for seventy euros a month — these 9 % by 2030. A total of 365 new housing offer little prospect of improvement. There days, such offers are rare in Weimar. Those units are essentially needed every year to is a building gap cadastral, for example, in who studied here between the 1990s and house all of the newcomers. But these sim- which vacant plots that could potentially be mid-2000s will remember these prices ply aren’t being built,« explains Kassandra developed are listed. The procedure is com- though: a great deal of charm for very little Löffl er. Migration to the town also presents plex: the owner must fi rst be contacted and it money. However, since 2009, rental prices in a major challenge: »While there is no emer- must be negotiated whether they wish to sell the town have skyrocketed. In her Master’s gency accommodation here at the start of the plot or not. What’s more, relatively few thesis, Kassandra Löffl er investigated the rea- the semester like there is in Tübingen, stu- brownfi eld sites are registered in the town: sons for the rent increases in Weimar — and dents unable to fi nd somewhere to live in »In Tübingen, 600 building gaps have been what can be done about this. Erfurt or Jena also come to Weimar.« Löffl er mapped, for example. Around ten per cent Her dissertation entitled »Housing policy continues. »Of course, in the end, everyone of these can be developed. In Weimar there tools to ensure affordable living space — always fi nds something. But this does not are a good 40 gaps. If the same development living in Weimar since 1990« comprises mean that what they fi nd is cheap.« potential is assumed, then the effect will be 209 pages of concentrated urbanist power marginal,« explains Löffl er. prepared by Löffl er under the supervision of Barbara Schönig, the chair for Urban Planning at the Institute for European Urban Studies HIGH PRICES HAVE THEIR REASONS MAKE SOMETHING OF IT (IfEU). In conversation with Kassandra Löffl er, The town centre is a redevelopment The student project »Raumstation« it becomes clear where the problems lie: area. Many of the buildings there are owned [»Space Station«] also developed from a

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brownfi eld site. Well, sort of: in the 2013 Trostorff and Piero Sassi to North Rhine-West- Kassandra Löf er has built her Noeske. Courtyards are often rather sad af- or a communal vegan brunch. Students of the summer semester, a group of urban planning phalia. Trostorff and Sassi are both research own home with the »Baumhaus« fairs, as no one really knows who is respon- Bauhaus-Universität Weimar live here along- students went on a fi eld trip to the Ruhr re- assistants for Spatial Planning and Research. initiative (p.9); Jannik Noeske sible for them or how something can be side working professionals. Carla Peter and gion. »Blessing or a curse? Brownfi eld sites as Jannik Noeske, an urban planning student, lives in a fl at-share (p.10); summer changed. This gets Noeske thinking and he Andreas Clement both study in Jena and de- potential for sustainable city development in explains how the idea for the »Raumstation« party at the »Baumhaus« (p.8). has already begun hatching new plans for pos- cided on the residential project, because they Dortmund« was the name of the project that came about: »In Dortmund, there is an asso- sible future projects for the »Raumstation«: were »seeking a different kind of communal took the seminar group supervised by Britta ciation called »Die Urbanisten« [»The Urban- w .raumstation.org »It is of course possible to negotiate with the life as a couple, and there are hardly any al- ists«]. We found their neighbourhood projects w .diegelbezora.wordpress.com landlord regarding what can be done with a ternative forms of accommodation available based on a bottom-up principle utterly fasci- courtyard and how it can be spruced up. Or a in Jena beside classic fl at-shares,« Clement nating and wanted to start something similar fl ea market can be held and the public space explains. The building’s residents pay rent to in Weimar,« recollects Noeske. The »Raum- extended for a certain amount of time in this Wohnstätte Weimar GmbH that is fi xed for a station« has since primarily been active in the way. While we are not planning anything at period of fi ve years and hope that the gener- public sphere, but also has links to the living the moment, this would certainly fi t with the ations after them will also be able to live here and housing space of people in Weimar. »Raumstation« activities.« Noeske sees one for the same price. A plot on Trierer Strasse at the corner major difference between Weimar and major The project was initiated by Sebastian of Henssstrasse has stood empty for years, cities here: »There is no real sense of a neigh- Kirschner, who advises people seeking op- for example. In December 2015, an advent bourhood community in Weimar. People do portunities for communal working and living calendar was set up on the perimeter fence. not identify with their neighbourhood so with his Weimar agency »Wohnprojektor«. He Every day, a new idea of what could be done also drafted the redevelopment concept for with the site was revealed. These included the former hospital located at Eduard-Rosen- a residential building with a shop on the thal-Strasse 70, which is known today as the ground fl oor: »Such a place inspires dreams. » Living space is space for residential project »Ro70«. More than 75 Why should only owner-occupied apart- new housing units, some of which are also ments and investment properties be built intended for students, will be built here by here? After all, Kassandra Löffl er established living and this does not end 2018. However, interest in the apartments in her work that there is not enough new planned for student fl at-shares has been low: housing being built to cater to demand. In at your own front door.« »I fi nd this a shame, but also understand that principle, such a brownfi eld site has far more 19-year-olds are more inclined to opt for a to offer,« says Noeske. room in a fl at-share that is ready and waiting, In its projects, the »Raumstation« gives than to get involved in a residential project people back the time that they spend waiting that it will only be possible to move into in at traffi c lights. It considers how residents two years’ time. What’s more, when you’re and other people use Wielandplatz (a highly studying, there are also more important things controversial subject due to the high noise than self-determined living,« says Kirschner. level) and what can be changed; it helps new His latest project is a collective industrial urban planning students in the traditional im- building located at Milchhofstrasse 22 where promptu project at the start of their studies: students will be able to rent workshops and »People come to our offi ce on Trierer Strasse workrooms in the future. and we offer consultations on an equal foot- strongly. Particularly as a student, you are out Self-determination is a concept coming. Many come again and get involved in and about around the entire town anyway.« mon to Löffl er’s work, the »Raumstation« and the »Raumstation« too,« tells Noeske. As a While Löffl er takes a theoretical and other alternative living and rental options: student initiative, it is open to anyone wish- practical approach to the subject of living in those not wishing to surrender to the mar- ing to get involved, also from outside of the Weimar and the »Raumstation« addresses is- ket conditions or to accept that living space university. The aim is to empower people to sues in the public space, there are also projects is unchangeable will need their fair share of implement their ideas here with the group’s in Weimar devoted to alternative living. self-initiative. This does not change the fact help. Hence the project’s bottom-up ap- that the dream of a romantic, cheap historic proach: »It is possible to rapidly implement property will soon be over. But it is possible minor changes in your own neighbourhood,« to change a great many things both large and explains Noeske. »If someone wants to build USE WHAT IS AVAILABLE small in one’s immediate surrounds that help a new bench or set up a book exchange box, »Gelbe Zora« located at Zöllnerstrasse 2, make life a little more self-determined. Even they will immediately notice a tangible effect. which is for the large part a student project, if this is just an advent calendar on a perime- The neighbourhood or quarter is the direct demonstrates how it is still possible to use ter fence or a residential building constructed living environment.« old buildings for reasonable conditions. In with like-minded individuals. • If you think a bit further here, living is 2015, Andreas Clement and Clara Peter es- not necessarily confi ned to one’s own four tablished an association that leases a refur- walls: »Living space is space for living and this bished building from Wohnstätte Weimar does not end at your own front door. There GmbH. In addition to apartments, the build- are spaces that are neither public nor private. ing also features a common room that the Stairwells, for example. Or courtyards,« says residents occasionally use for yoga sessions

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and product manager. Laying tiles, submit- TEXT ting applications to the hygiene authorities, Romy Weinhold sourcing ice cream and sampling new ﬂ avours along the way — Bieber seems to have breezed through it all. Bieber– »I basically used the freedom to learn everything I needed to know,« he says of his studies. »I am a chaotic person and setting the right priorities did not always come easy to me. Which is why this freedom was actually a problem at the start. Professors do not One student’s journey to a offer ready-made solutions for the challenges fever and problems that arise during a project. So career in ice cream self-initiative is required. You also need to know what you want to achieve when you select your modules for the next semester.«

INGREDIENT № 2: THE WEIMAR NETWORK Felix Bieber is now in his ninth semester. He has taken out a loan and his parents also support him fi nancially. The Bieber network is Felix Bieber stands with sparkling eyes on a Art and Design. Students were encouraged to not limited to his family though. Indeed, it is far building site amidst stainless steel machines consider different phenomena present in gar- larger: »I also benefi t from the famous Weimar and work tables. »When I look around at all dens and to develop an artistic project based network, of course. The short distances, inti- the equipment here, I feel like a Neanderthal on this. Felix was interested in the fruits of mate environment at the university and also in who has been teleported to modern times.« the garden and took a very different approach the town — these all play a major role.« He talks about his »baby« — the diagonal shock to his fellow students: he made these into Fellow students designed Biebereis freezer and its big brother, the pasteuriser — ice cream and developed a mobile ice cream logos and packaging or programmed a web- in the same way that most young men might stand. At the end of the semester, he sold site. The manager of the cleaning company talk about cars. The media art student was his sweet and fruity creations at the annual across the way naturally comes over to help inspired by his studies to begin making ice university show. And they proved an absolute when Felix receives delivery of yet another cream, which he produces and sells under the hit: everyone had the hots for Biebereis! machine. What felt like half of Weimar sup- brand name »Biebereis«. Today, his ice cream ported his crowdfunding campaign to have is even known beyond the town’s limits. the much yearned-for ice cream bicycle Vanilla and cookie, banana and walnut, INGREDIENT № 1: manufactured in the UK. »It is wonderful to chocolate brownie, and raspberry and white THE PROJECT STUDY know that Biebereis is not only so much fun chocolate are just a few of the ice cream crea- Today, three years later, Bieber is on the for me personally, but also for a great many tions in Felix Bieber’s repertoire. He is forever verge of making his dream of having his very other people,« tells Bieber. working on new recipes and, from time to own ice cream parlour a reality. From media time, also experiments with unusual pairings artist to creator of ice cream — how did this such as maté and lemonade. Today, Biebereis come about? And what exactly does it have INGREDIENT № 3: has become a Weimar staple. The 23-year-old to do with your studies? »A great deal,« re- PASSION can be spotted out and about at public events plies Bieber. »I came upon the idea during the »I am fi nally able to make what makes as well as in nightclubs with his mobile stand garden project. From that point on, I knew I me happy into my profession here: ice cream,« and ice cream bicycle. Bieber hopes to attain didn’t want to do anything other than make he raves, while surrounded by his new tech- whole new levels in ice cream production ice cream. Come what may.« He subsequently nology. The results Bieber will achieve with with the new machines and new production focussed on projects that could be combined the professional equipment will undoubtedly facilities at Erfurter Strasse 35. with his passion and bring him closer to his be something to look forward to, though he Biebereis vision. has not yet been able to test it all extensively. Modules such as »Point of Sale« and »But if you think how good my Biebereis was IN THE BEGINNING WAS »Setting up Shop« with media art professor with the old ice cream machine, then it will THE GARDEN Christine Hill proved particularly useful. With undoubtedly be a quantum leap in terms of It all began back in 2013. Felix was in every semester that passed, his professional- quality and taste,« he predicts with sparkling his second semester of a degree in media art ism grew. A corporate design and slogan to eyes. And exactly this sparkle is his secret: and design and took the module »WE MUST suit, his very own ice cream kitchen — Felix Weimar is bieberized by Biebereis! • C — we must cultivate our garden« with Katrin the media art student was transformed into a w .biebereis.de Steiger, an artistic assistant at the Faculty of graphic designer, advertiser, product designer

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THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY Andrea Karle » It’s all about and Fabian Ebeling

We ask four instructors what they believe good teaching involves. All agree: the university must create space for thought. Though admittedly, successful seminars cannot be planned. gaining experience«

NINA RÖDER When a seminar goes badly, students tend to leave the room quickly. Following a student » It should not be taken for granted that people feedback session last winter semester, I in- like us sit here and discuss what good vited my students to a glass of mulled wine teaching involves. Good teaching essentially after the seminar. There were only three of us! That was a good indication for me that requires openness and self-criticism.« the critique I had offered was perhaps a bit ( MAX IRMER ) harsh. On good days, though, there are often questions afterwards.

HEINRICH SÖBKE The instructors involved in the But it is also a question of how students re- discussion were: ANDREA KARLE spond to critique. After all, it is part of their Your seminar has just ended and you education for lecturers to give them some NINA RÖDER STEFAN MEISNER begin packing your bag as the students feedback from time to time. has been a teacher of photography for the has worked at the Professorship for Media fi le out of the room. You have the media art programme since 2012. Along- Sociology since 2012 and is currently a sub- feeling that the seminar did not go so NINA RÖDER side her teaching duties, the freelance artist stitute professor at Merseburg University of well. What do you do? That’s true, but you want criticism to be con- is completing a doctorate on the subject of Applied Sciences. In October 2016, he was structive so that students are able to take performative strategies and processes in con- awarded the Teaching Award of the Bau- STEFAN MEISNER something away with them and not simply temporary photography. haus-Universität Weimar. I like to go for a smoke fi rst. Then I have a bury their heads in the sand. think why this could be. Was it the weather? MAX IRMER HEINRICH SÖBKE Was it my fault? I fi nd it most helpful to ask MAX IRMER studied cultural science at the Leuphana has worked at the Professorship for Urban students during the next seminar what went In the introductory lecture, I always make it University of Lüneburg before beginning a Water Management and as the coordinator wrong. You can’t do any more than that: clear that any criticism I offer is not personal. Master’s degree in urban planning in Octo- for the Twist++ research project since 2013. have a smoke, take a deep breath and keep I have also written emails after classes in the ber 2015. He teaches at Witten / Herdecke He complements teaching with game-based going. Successful seminars simply cannot past and admitted to mistakes I have made, in University in Lüneburg and Erfurt. learning. be planned. order to be able to discuss these in our next

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THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY Andrea Karle » It’s all about and Fabian Ebeling

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session. Not all students accept this though. HEINRICH SÖBKE HEINRICH SÖBKE STEFAN MEISNER Many assume that a class must be meticu- Indeed, you learn the most from mistakes — as Yes, though my »Kanalrattenshooter« learning I actually tested this out last summer semes- lously planned. I believe otherwise: teaching do the students. Yes, I represent the »hard sci- app isn’t to be used during lectures. Rather, ter: the small group size meant we were able should have an experimental character, and ence«. (The group laughs.) The teaching out- it can be used for group work, for example. to decide every session which empirical meth- lecturers are therefore allowed to get it wrong, comes can be verifi ed more objectively: when The app is based on multiple-choice ques- ods should be learned for our next session. too. a house or pavilion comes crashing down, tions to impart basic knowledge and enable This created momentum that could not have then you know that the students have made effortless learning. Students fi nd it good to been planned in advance. In the coming se- a mistake. Nina, when you critique a picture, take a different approach to learning from mester, I defi nitely want to make my plan and then this is based on experience or another time to time. my framework more fl exible. knowledge level that the students must fi rst attain to be able to see it for themselves. HEINRICH SÖBKE In software development, this concept is re- STEFAN MEISNER » For me, standing with students in the fi nished ferred to as an »agile approach«: you stand But a class is not like technology, is it? You exhibition and knowing exactly how it all at one point, see what you want to achieve cannot say at the end »It works!« or »It doesn’t and what the next steps are. I think teaching work!«. The more I go into seminars with a came about is one of the best moments at the suffers from being forcibly compressed into a strict plan, the worse they end up going. end of the semester« curriculum. If you deviate from the plan, people gain experience and learn more. I remem- ( NINA RÖDER ) FABIAN EBELING ber the most relevant things I have learned At what point do you notice that some- primarily because I know where and how I thing is going wrong? learned them. FABIAN EBELING NINA RÖDER So the technology aims to help with STEFAN MEISNER When there is complete silence! In my classes, self-organisation outside of the man- In media studies and art, we have the advan- we speak about contemporary photography datory classes. What’s the situation tage that there is no basic knowledge that a lot. When I select examples of photos and in urban planning, Max? How much everyone must master. Rather, it’s all about think »Wow, now there’s a controversial pho- self-initiative is required and what is gaining experience. The course aims to pro- tographer we can discuss a lot about!« and students’ response to this? vide a safe environment in which I can try out then the conversation comes to nothing, then different approaches. Teaching this is great. I know that I was wrong. MAX IRMER Later on in a professional career, this is no I can only report from a student’s perspective, longer possible. STEFAN MEISNER: but I love projects that I must organise as part When students start switching their laptops of a group. It would be awful to be mollycod- MAX IRMER on or checking their smartphones! For me, dled all the time. What’s the situation with regard to freedom second screen usage is the indicator. in the artistic fi eld? HEINRICH SÖBKE HEINRICH SÖBKE With a sound knowledge basis, it is possible NINA RÖDER Yes, second screen usage is certainly a very to learn the most in projects. You set your Project-based learning forms the basis of good indication. During lectures, it’s diffi cult own goals, attempt to attain them and also teaching. At art colleges, the class principle to say whether people are paying attention or fail sometimes. is pursued. Here in Weimar, it is possible to simply »doing their time«. The written exams select a different focus every single semester. then mostly show whether the course was a ANDREA KARLE This allows students a great deal of freedom, success or not. In the media culture programme, stu- but also requires self-motivation. Projects dents read a great many texts, then have the advantage that students must rap- MAX IRMER discuss these. How can you encourage idly know which medium they wish to work Yes, absolutely: when something isn’t go- self-motivation here? with, what they want to say with their work ing so well, people fi nd something else to or how they intend to display this. Support is do. If the entire seminar is taken up with STEFAN MEISNER then provided during the courses. doing other things rather than participat- Students’ motivation in this subject varies ing in the discussion, then something has widely. Some want to work in media in the ANDREA KARLE gone wrong. future, others are more interested in research, Finding independent topics, working on and some have artistic ambitions. Students these and determining what you want: ANDREA KARLE are motivated if they are able to select topics is this the educational objective in art? Speaking of which, Mr Söbke: you have they wish to learn more about and can then developed an app for use during urban conduct research for themselves. NINA RÖDER water management classes as a comple- I want students attending my classes to ment to teaching. So you are making ANDREA KARLE develop their own personality — using the use of the possibilities offered by sec- So does motivation dwindle if a lot of tasks I set and the discussions we have. ond screen technology, so to speak. planning is involved? The resulting photos show the public in an

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STUDENT PROJECTS & TEACHING 18 19

exhibition or magazine that everyone has MAX IRMER STEFAN MEISNER their own take on a subject, which reveals a Of course. The aim of the course is not only In media studies, people tend to use the personal, intimate view of the world. I strive to impart the specialist skills to know how to »Sie« form, as it also allows a linguistic dis- to teach this independence. Of course, this do something. Studying also means learning tance to be maintained — also with regard isn’t possible in one semester, but rather only to discuss, debate and assert oneself. to the awarding of marks. In Weimar, there if students come back time and time again. is the phenomenon that you meet in bars in The path to becoming a successful artist STEFAN MEISNER the evening and use the informal »Du«, then is notoriously diffi cult — but I think that we I would go one step further here: students revert to the formal »Sie« again in class the can equip students with the skills they need should learn to think differently. This has not following day. I fi nd it super! It allows you to to be able to assert themselves on the market. only to do with hard or soft skills, but also address one another in a courteous, respect- Overall, our students do very well in this. about opening up a space. There are very ful and individual manner during class. Using few students from working-class families on the »Sie« form does have a distancing effect HEINRICH SÖBKE our course, for example. When you notice though. In the evening, you can then revert The half-life of knowledge is forever decreas- that someone is not academically inclined, back to »Du« in the midst of a game of table ing. Civil engineers need to know how they the course can allow them to think differ- football. (All laugh.) can solve problems independently in their ently. As an abstract course, media studies work. A instructor’s job is to help provide offers some great opportunities for this. This MAX IRMER orientation. This is also our goal — and this is essentially my goal — albeit an entirely To return to the teaching evaluation: I have in- perhaps also applies for the artistic fi eld. idealistic one! troduced a competence model in my classes. Students use this to assess their own abilities ANDREA KARLE FABIAN EBELING at the start of the semester, then review them So the learning aim for students is not We have discussed how you plan les- » Good teaching should make it possible at the end. This model only works for the merely limited to passing a written sons and what aims you set. Let us now to refl ect using dif erent approaches. knowledge transfer though — a pen and paper exam at the end of a semester? consider the end of a class: what is the To support someone in accomplishing this cannot help on the personal level. response? Do you receive any feedback motivates me in my job.« HEINRICH SÖBKE above and beyond the standard eval- STEFAN MEISNER No. The written exam is essentially just a uation? ( STEFAN MEISNER ) I fi nd the teaching evaluation problematic formal component. Structural and environ- for small groups. I still like to do it anyway, mental engineers need to know certain things NINA RÖDER though, to have a theme for the fi nal session. and to be able to do them, too. They should My students address very personal topics, Questionnaires provide the opportunity to also be able to develop further within their which leads me to develop very close rela- receive anonymous responses. I go through fi eld. The basis for this is established during tionships with them. All problems that arise these and share my thoughts on them. Af- the course. during my courses can be addressed open- ter all, I do not have to simply accept what ly. In my opinion, personal feedback makes it written. Students can therefore also wit- FABIAN EBELING the most sense for artistic seminars. When it ness my response to these. This interac- Interesting parallels exist here across all comes to creative courses, there is still a great ANDREA KARLE tion allows both sides to learn how to deal disciplines. Are problem-solving skills deal of scope to improve the evaluation forms. During my media culture degree here in with criticism. and personality specifi cally also fostered Comments such as »The fi eld trip was great!« Weimar, I always used the formal »Sie« in media studies and urban planning? aren’t particularly helpful. to address my instructors. But in urban HEINRICH SÖBKE planning, everyone uses the informal Personal feedback certainly provides a wealth ANDREA KARLE »Du« with each other — does this make of information. Weimar students have the ad- Max, how is it from the point of view people more open to criticism and more vantage that the distance between them and of a student required to fi ll out such direct? the lecturers is so small. • an evaluation form? Is your feedback addressed in subsequent sessions and MAX IRMER does this formal evaluation lead to any There are people, who feel comfortable using changes? the informal »Du« and others who do not. Professional distance is important nonethe- MAX IRMER less. Just because you use the informal form » I think good teaching No. I actually only fi ll out the form for sta- of address with students does not mean that tistical purposes. If I have a problem with there will not be any marks at the end and should provide standards someone, then I approach them directly. everyone is the best of friends. I let people Professors are not gods; you’re allowed to address me with »Du«, as I fi nd the »Sie« form and motivation for one’s say if you are unhappy with something. I pompous. At the start of a course, I introduce provide my instructors with feedback and myself and often notice that many students expect the same of those who attend my lec- see me as a friend. But I am also responsible own actions.« tures. However, the encounter on an equal for imparting knowledge, and the necessary footing should not only take place at the end professional attitude is achieved through ( HEINRICH SÖBKE ) of a class. maintaining a certain amount of distance.

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STUDENT PROJECTS & TEACHING 14 JULY 2016 12 MAY 2016 19 FEBRUARY 2016 29 OCTOBER 2015 21 The professorship for Media Sociology host- The Faculty of Civil Engineering The »Wohnen für alle« con- ed an interdisciplinary conference on social, The Institute for European hosted the Science Night with ference on housing issues took cultural and media techniques. Urban Studies (IfEU) hosted the motto of »E3—ENERGY. place at the Institute for a two-day conference EXPERIMENT. EXPERIENCE.« European Urban Studies (IfEU). entitled »Die Zukunft der as part of the »summaery 4 FEBRUARY 2016 Innenstädte« [»The Future of 2016«. Inner Cities«]. Research with living matter in science and art was addressed at the »Inoculum« conference.

21 JUNE 2016 16 SEPTEMBER 2015 The German-Asian research project »Sus- At the 19th »ibausil-Kongress«, researchers tainable Construction in Bhutan« investigat- discussed the tasks and problems in building ed the Himalayan country’s buildings from material development and usage. the perspective of construction physics and building materials for the ﬁ rst time. 14 APRIL 2015 The Competence Centre for Media An- ght, 2) ght,

1 JUNE 2016 i thropology was inaugurated. The centre is Fifty experts discussed the future of environ- ﬁ nanced by the ProExzellenz state initiative ler (r ler

25 APRIL 2016 l mentally-friendly building materials during The Faculty of Civil Engineering presented its with € 1.6 million. the »Green Concrete Symposium«. research projects in the ﬁ eld of »new pol- BACK A LOOK LOOK A ymer-based material developments« at the 1 JUNE 2016 Hannover Messe 2016. ght, 1); Thomas Mü Thomas 1); ght,

The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar was in- i volved in a priority programme of the Ger- 22 MARCH 2016 man Research Foundation (DFG) during The computer science and media project which search engines were developed that 13 NOVEMBER 2015

»SIMPLY SCRY« was granted funding in the (r Schmitt as i The ﬁ fth international symposium on archi- provided search results along with feasible six digits from the US American company, tectural education focused on the question of arguments for these results. Cisco Systems. what good architecture is and why creativity t, 2); Math 2); t, f and design standards are important for our 20 MAY 2016 15 APRIL 2016 constructed environment. The German Research Foundation (DFG) The »New Urban Mobility« symposium took approved the funding application of the a critical look at trends in mobility and urban 24 SEPTEMBER 2015 Technische Universität Berlin and the Bau- development. haus-Universität Weimar for a joint Research International speakers considered waste, leftovers and rubbish beyond the ecological Training Group on Identity and Heritage. 25 FEBRUARY 2016 aspect during the conference »Müll—Pers-

In the battle against clickbait, Google funded (le Urbanistik Europäische ür f pektiven des Übrigen« [»Waste—Perspec- a computer science research project at the tives for the Remains«]. Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. t, 1); Institut Institut 1); t, f Abbildungen: Henry Sowinski (le Henry Sowinski Abbildungen: Research 14 JULY 2016 12 MAY 2016 19 FEBRUARY 2016 29 OCTOBER 2015 21 The professorship for Media Sociology host- The Faculty of Civil Engineering The »Wohnen für alle« con- ed an interdisciplinary conference on social, The Institute for European hosted the Science Night with ference on housing issues took cultural and media techniques. Urban Studies (IfEU) hosted the motto of »E3—ENERGY. place at the Institute for a two-day conference EXPERIMENT. EXPERIENCE.« European Urban Studies (IfEU). entitled »Die Zukunft der as part of the »summaery 4 FEBRUARY 2016 Innenstädte« [»The Future of 2016«. Inner Cities«]. Research with living matter in science and art was addressed at the »Inoculum« conference.

1 JUNE 2016 i thropology was inaugurated. The centre is Fifty experts discussed the future of environ- ﬁ nanced by the ProExzellenz state initiative ler (r ler

ILLUSTRATIONS Doctorate title: Jan Robert Dünnweller » Overcoming the human. Humans in the ﬁ eld of tension To the between media anthropology and posthumanism.«

Johanna Seifert obtained a Bachelor’s Three doctoral students, 90 seconds: degree in German literature and philosophy pointfrom the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin each brieﬂ y outlined their research and the University of Palermo. She subsequently completed a Master’s degree in philosophy at the Freie Universität Berlin project in the ﬁ eld of media anthropo- in 2015. logy to us in their own words. Then illustrator Jan Robert Dünnweller interpreted their research topics in images. Listen to the audio recordings online.

Doctorate title: » The power of criticism. Critical practices between Philipp Gries studied philosophy, cultural Friedrich Nietzsche science and sociology at the University of Bremen, then at the University of Potsdam. and Roland Barthes.« He completed his studies in 2013 w .uni-weimar.de/ at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. bj/forschung

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ILLUSTRATIONS Doctorate title: Jan Robert Dünnweller » Overcoming the human. Humans in the ﬁ eld of tension To the between media anthropology and posthumanism.«

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Doctorate title: TEXT » Haunted atmospheres. Music Fabian Ebeling in popular transformation What remains? rituals in Southern Myanmar.«

Friedlind Riedel studied German philology, art and music at the University of Biele- feld and sinology, cultural musicology and Concrete prefabs, housing estates, sat- ethnology at Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen where she was awarded a dis- tinction for her studies in 2013. ellite towns: the research project »Which Monuments, Which Modernity« of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and TU Dortmund considers the archi- tectural legacy of the second half of the twentieth century.

ABOUT »KOMA« Scientists have been conducting research their research here. On the other, work at at KOMA — Competence Centre for Media KOMA is also focused on applying for the Anthropology since April 2015. On the one establishment of a German Research Foun- hand, this interdisciplinary centre, ﬁ nanced dation (DFG) research training group, which by the ProExzellenz initiative of the Free State would continue research on the same subject of Thuringia, serves as a home base for ten when funding for KOMA ends in 2019. • scholarship holders, who are able to conduct w .uni-weimar.de/koma

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Doctorate title: TEXT » Haunted atmospheres. Music Fabian Ebeling in popular transformation What remains? rituals in Southern Myanmar.«

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Tram line № 2. Those who venture out of Halle estates in a post-war modernist style and the city centre will pass by churches, old tower state of research. blocks and the Saline Museum, which — ac- »The industrialized apartment blocks cording to the announcement on the tram — is out there form part of the exhibition,« says the only museum in Germany to produce salt. Johannes Warda, a research assistant for the The museum forecourt throngs with people. conservation and history of architecture at the It is International Museum Day this Sunday. Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Together with The tram continues along the straight road researchers from the TU Dortmund, the co- towards Halle-Neustadt. There is more space ordinator of the project »Which Monument, here. The cityscape is dominated by residen- Which Modernity« is investigating the monu- tial blocks, a large shopping centre. And be- mental value of industrialized housing estates hind that, fi ve high-rise towers, four of which such as Halle-Neustadt. Many of these resi- are in a poor state and thus uninhabitable. dential monstrosities were built in the 1970s Below these lies an arcade that should invite and 1980s. They are monuments refl ecting people to take a stroll and go shopping. The the zeitgeist of former times and notions of door leading to the gallery in Halle-Neustadt how society could look in the future: »Migra- town hall is open. The legacy of this district tion from the city centre was understood as of Halle and similar building projects is being progress,« says Warda. showcased here: »Big Heritage« is the name England, Italy, Poland, Switzerland — of the exhibition that presents the housing large, industrialized housing estates like this can be found all across Europe that are today either only sparsely populated, have a bad reputation or are entirely uninhabited. The exhibition »Big Heritage« showcases famous examples such as »Le Vele« complex in Na- ples that plays a starring role in the mafi a fi lm »Gomorrha«. Or »Manhattan« as the natives of the Polish city of Wrocław refer affection- ately to one particular housing estate. Sim- ilar to Halle-Neustadt, these prefabricated estates were conceived in the 1970s as new residential centres following the devastation of the inner cities during the Second World War: in former East Germany, these housing schemes promised comfort, more rooms than the older, unheated buildings, and a new form of coexistence. Following the reunifi cation of Germany, all those who could afford to do so moved out. So why exactly should these un- popular Plattenbauten be preserved? Because they are a part of history and could continue to be used today. »Among others, our exhibition considers the interchangeability of architecture. This was an international trend and today forms part of the European identity,« says Christos Stremmenos, a research assistant for the history and theory of architecture at the TU Dortmund and the exhibition’s architect. Large housing estates were also built in West Germany after the war — in Marl in North- Rhine Westphalia, for example. In 1965, a tour group from Halle visited this new centre for miners and chemical plant workers in the Ruhr region. Thus the exhibition »Big Herit- age« also depicts the development of the centre of Marl alongside that of Halle-Neustadt. The research project »Which Monu- ments, Which Modernity« aims to record,

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TEXT Dana Höftmann Closer

Civil engineers are using modern than scanning electron microscopes to investigate the microstructure of construction mater ials. close

chitecture and the Honorary Chair for Monu- ment Protection. A total of twelve researchers are investigating the value of preserving buildings that have been scorned since the renaissance of city centres. This fundamental research into monument protection could set the course for how we remember such residential complexes in the future. And yet this group’s work goes far beyond this. In- creasing migration to Germany and the lack A scanning electron microscope (SEM) can objects: this involves passing a very fi ne elec- of living space is leading to a revival of the render even the minutest of surface structures tron beam over the object in a grid pattern. debate on living space. What does this now visible. All around the globe, scientists from When the electron beam interacts with the have to do with monuments? »The best way the most varied of disciplines are using this object a multitude of signals are generated. to preserve monuments is by using them,« research tool. At the Bauhaus-Universität We- The highest resolution can be achieved with evaluate and raise awareness for the ar- says Warda. imar, scanning electron microscopy has been the secondary electron signal. By correlating chitectural legacy of the second half of the It all began a few years ago when images used in the fi eld of »construction materials« impact points and signal intensity, greyscale twentieth century. Estates and complexes were shown of the young and beautiful mov- since 1973. The technology has been devel- images with outstanding resolution are cre- such as those in Halle-Neustadt are currently ing back into high-rise buildings and rejecting oped continuously since that time, whereby ated, which can then be displayed on a com- still struggling though: they are in decline or the old building standard. What was once a the material researchers in Weimar have been puter monitor. being demolished, similar to the university trend is today commonplace: the housing able to gain ever-new insights. For decades now, scanning electron A stroll through Halle-Neustadt: buildings in Leipzig following the reunifi ca- question is resurfacing, housing is scarce in »Modern scanning electron micro- microscope techniques have been adapted Marcus Glahn transforms the tion of Germany. As if to retaliate for the cities such as Berlin, and a growing number Our photographer Marcus Glahn scopes allow us to visualize surface structures and implemented at the F.A. Finger Institute estate’s straight lines and structures demolition of other historic buildings during of people are searching in vain for affordable photographed the scanning electron in the range of one nanometre and smaller,« of Building Materials Science of the Profes- into imagery in his photography. the GDR era. housing. Perhaps the unloved satellite towns microscope (overleaf), then had explains lab manager, Dr. Bernd Möser. The sorship for Construction Materials to analyse In Dortmund, the project is supervised are on the verge of a real renaissance. • the negative examined under the scanning electron microscope uses electron construction materials. The focus here is on w .welchedenkmale.info by the Chair for the History and Theory of Ar- microscope (top right). radiation to generate magnifi ed images of the characterisation of the microstructures

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TEXT Dana Höftmann Closer

Civil engineers are using modern than scanning electron microscopes to investigate the microstructure of construction mater ials. close

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THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY Claudia Weinreich »We must THE BAUHAUS-UNIVERSITÄT WEIMAR HAS A TOTAL OF THREE SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPES: → An ultra-high resolution scanning empower electron microscope (Nova NanoSEM 230 from FEI / USA) that can be Five years after its launch, the operated under high and low vacuum conditions with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and electron doctorate programme of the Faculty backscatter dif raction (EBSD) from EDAX / AMETEK / USA and cryo-prepa- of Art and Design is attracting ration by Leica / Germany. → An environmental scanning micro- more students than ever before; the scope (ESEM) (XL30 ESEM-FEG from Philips / FEI with an energy disper- ﬁ rst doctorate projects have now sive X-ray spectrometer from EDAX / AMETEK / USA. → A conventional high vacuum scan- been published. We asked programme ning electron microscope (S-2700 LB from Hitachi / Japan) with an en- spokesperson Prof. Dr. Frank Hartmann ergy dispersive X-ray spectrometer from Thermo NORAN. why we need artistic research.

AREAS OF SEM APPLICATION IN WEIMAR INCLUDE: → Applied research: in the fi elds of artists construction materials and refurbish- ( A ) ment with a focus on cement, mortar, concrete, plaster, polymers and building metals → Characterisation of hydration of the mass-produced construction mate- vacuum conditions in the microscope object for discourse« processes rial concrete and its components such as space. As a consequence, hydrated construc- → Analysis and clarifi cation of material cement, aggregates, reinforcing steel, ad- tion samples had to fi rst be dehydrated and changes and damage claims — in- mixtures and additives. Other construction an electroconductive coating applied. This vestigations into ageing and chemical, materials such as steel, wood, plaster, brick meant that the morphological, chemical and physical and biological corrosion and ceramic are also analysed. Against the crystallographic properties of the material to → Durability of concrete: sulphate and backdrop of climate and sustainability de- investigate were altered to such an extent chloride attack, carbonation, freeze- bates, the focus is increasingly turning to that decisive information on the structure thaw cycles, etc. the research and development of alternative and composition remained unknown, and → Microscopic analytics and structure binding agents. The continuous emergence the sample could no longer be used for elucidation with resolutions in the and development of construction materials other analytical procedures. Today thanks to PROFESSOR HARTMANN, YOU ONCE deal is focused on usability, whereby social nanometre range is forever presenting new challenges for mi- the modern environmental scanning electron DESCRIBED THE ART AND DESIGN / success is linked accordingly to the symbolism → Construction material composition croscopic characterisation. microscope (ESEM), substances can be inves- FINE ART / MEDIA ART DOCTORAL of »scientifi city«. At the same time, we are analyses While images with a resolution of 7 to tigated in their native, i.e. untreated, state. PROGRAMME AS AN ACADEMIC in the process of completely redesigning the → Studies of phase formation under 10 nm were initially the standard, today sur- In future, the Weimar researchers want to NICHE. WHY DID THE FACULTY OF world technologically. There is a very real dan- hydrothermal conditions, e.g. limestone face structures in the range of 0.5 nm can be go one step further: the acquisition of a ART AND DESIGN ACTUALLY SET ger that certain questions will be forgotten in → Evaluation of artefact formation mapped. »This may not sound like a lot, but new, extremely high-resolution SEM device THIS DOCTORAL PROGRAMME UP? the process. We must empower artists and through observations in conventional it represents a quantum leap in research,« in combination with a focussed ion source designers to participate in the correspond- SEM vs. ESEM-FEG vs. Nova-Nano explains Möser. And something else has should also make three-dimensional imaging Niches in which exotic plants are also allowed ing discourse. So it is about far more than SEM vs. CryoSEM changed, too: material samples were tradi- and analyses possible. • to fl ourish hardly exist in the university land- the professional qualifi cation that the state → Research projects for industry tionally mapped and analysed under high scape any more. It seems to me that a great of Thuringia requires of us as an art college.

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Artist research is based on a diver- IN WHAT RESPECT IS IT AN ADVAN- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BE- ( A ) »What is the peace?« is the title sity of topics and questions. Here TAGE FOR ARTISTS TO RECEIVE TWEEN ARTISTIC RESEARCH AND of the practical component of Kerstin we present three dif erent approaches THEORETICAL TRAINING — IN OTHER THE ESTABLISHED SCIENCES? Bruchhäuser’s dissertation. It consists to work with textiles (right). WORDS, WHICH OPPORTUNITIES AND WHICH METHODS DOES ART of 16 wall hangings in the form of ARISE FOR THE ACTUAL ARTISTIC USE TO GENERATE KNOWLEDGE? banners and fl ags, bunting and pennants. DEVELOPMENT? The pieces are made exclusively from The question about the methods is easy to an- white household textiles and allude to Art and design are very broad fi elds. While the swer: there are none. At least, not like those the »white fl ag« as a symbol of peace. times in which artists created their works for a taught in social science. As it was once said The old bedsheets, tablecloths, etc. fea- client are certainly not over, they are increas- in French philosophy, there are a thousand ture texts of varying degrees of legi- ingly being involved in discourses and podium plateaus on which we are able to interact. bility depending on their size and con- discussions, writing texts, and curating exhi- The diversity and undefi ned nature of the trast. Bruchhäuser’s work explores bitions. This would not be possible if they methods distinguishes artistic research from the relationship between the individual were not familiar with the theory discourse the established sciences. We should also al- and society; the ways in which collec- of the twentieth century. What’s more, media low ourselves this diversity of methods for it tive knowledge and memory manifest and technology are increasingly shaping our means a permanent search for new sources themselves. understanding of creativity and aesthetics. A of inspiration — for scientists and artists alike. ( A ) huge task awaits artists and designers here, and our educational programme focuses on ( B ) Till Ansgar Baumhauer’s object just this. THE HISTORIC BAUHAUS CREDO series »Entknüpfung« [»Unknotting«] IS BASED ON THE FUSION OF ART (right, on the right-hand wall) and »His- AND SCIENCE. TO WHAT EXTENT torische Unschärfe« [»Historic Blurring«] WHY DOES OUR SOCIETY NEED IS THIS PRINCIPLE RELEVANT TO THE question the visualisation forms ARTISTIC RESEARCH? BAUHAUS-UNIVERSITÄT WEIMAR of violent, daily wartime experiences TODAY? in long-running confl icts based on two So-called science is one of the biggest ide- wars lasting (more than) 30 years in ologies of our time. It undoubtedly has its You could write at least one book about this! Central Europe (1618–48) and Afghanistan merits, though the list of shortcomings is I think we should above all retain the notion (since 1979). The work »Historische equally lengthy. We now know that you can- from this principle that it is about life and the Unschärfe V« [»Historic Blurring V«] (left) not simply introduce a steam engine into the environment and not about works of art and is based on a design by baroque artist world and expect the world to automatical- objects. The world honestly does not need Hans Ulrich Franck. Baumhauer gave the ( B ) ly be a better place as a consequence. Art a teapot handle to be improved — yes, this image to an Afghan carpet weaver in does not have the task — like many people really was also considered at the Bauhaus. We a digital format, who then interpreted the believe — of painting the steam engine in should look less at the history and instead motif and incorporated it into a typical pretty colours. Rather it must encourage us conceive creative scenarios that can only suc- Afghan carpet. to rethink the entire production and repro- ceed with the help of the energies that allow duction process over and over again. Art must the »Bauhaus« legend to magically draw in create situations through its work from which young students from the world over — and ( C ) Katrin Steiger’s doctoral project it is possible to emerge a changed person that is also a good thing. with the working title »Kittel — Kunst: once they have been experienced. You have Zwischen Berufsbekleidung und Selbst- not merely experienced something »pretty«, inszenierung« [»Gown — Art: Between but also something »different«. That’s what HOW DO YOU SEE THE Work Clothing and Self-Presentation«] it is about. This is the challenge that artistic FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF entails an in-depth study of the work research faces. ARTISTIC RESEARCH? clothing of female and male artists. This is followed by an intensive exploration In my opinion, design research and artistic of selected theories from cultural research have a bright future. After all, we are science and cultural sociology on fashion, currently creating an entirely new world with society and clothing. The focus lies on electronic technologies. It will take a while the artists’ relationship with their »work still to understand this and until this time, we clothing«, possible uniformisation and should bid farewell to the cherished questions the interactions that artists are able of »good form« — let’s say, in clear favour of to enter into with clothing in their crea- algorithmics. And also from the private my- tive process. The aim of the doctoral programme thologies with which many artists were able is academic qualifi cation for artists and to achieve success in past centuries. Those designers. The three-year programme times are over. Our artists are able to go into concludes with a doctoral thesis the Digital Bauhaus Lab and work with the comprising a piece of academic writing technologies there — for they really should coupled with art or design work. not simply leave this to the engineers. • ( C )

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RESEARCH 18 AUGUST 2016 18 MAY 2016 12 MARCH 2016 14 JULY 2015 Between 22 and 27 August, undecided stu- 35 During the annual »HIT« open day, the uni- The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar took ﬁ rst dents had the opportunity to receive last-min- Career Day combined the versity opened its doors to prospective stu- place in the current funding ranking of the ute study guidance from the universities in Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s dents interested in learning more about the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Thuringia—among others, via WhatsApp. job fair with a programme studying at the Bauhaus. on postgraduate opportunities. 1 MARCH 2016 The University Library made its digital col- 4 JUNE 2015 9 JUNE 2016 lections available in the Europeana database. The two-month exhibition According to the title of 9 NOVEMBER 2015 »Ausgewählt!« [»Selected!«] »Words don’t come easy«, the The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar was selected for the second funding phase of the na- at the Haus Am Horn show- Bauhaus-Universität Weimar tional Teaching Quality Pact (Qualitätspakt cased the work of students hosted the second »Long Lehre). and alumni receiving university Night of Academic Writing«. 27 AUGUST 2015 funding. The Faculty of Civil Engineering hosted an Open Campus Day for the Bachelor’s degree programmes in civil engineering and computer science.

11 MAY 2016 The deans of three faculties already in offi ce were confi rmed. The Faculty of Art and De- 2 AUGUST 2015 sign elected its leadership for the fi rst time. Countless students of dif erent nationalities came to Weimar 22 MARCH 2016 in August to attend the Bau- haus Summer School. They The joint project between completed specialist training schools and libraries in Weimar, and language courses from »Wissen erobern. Schüler- the interdisciplinary teaching innen und Schüler entdecken BACK A LOOK LOOK A areas of ered at the Bauhaus- Weimarer Bibliotheken« ght, 2) ght, i Universität Weimar. [»Knowledge acquisition. School students discover Weimar’s libraries«], celebrated its tenth anniversary. ght, 1); Nina Röder (r Nina Röder 1); ght, 25 MAY 2016 More than 500 high school i Fifty-four scholarship holders were awarded students also paid a visit to 30 JANUARY 2015 their certifi cates in the Audimax during the The university’s new Chancellor, Dr. Horst 2016 fellowship celebrations. the university’s libraries. Henrici, entered offi ce.

20 JANUARY 2015 t, 2); Barbara Proschak (r Proschak Barbara 2); t, f The IPID4all »International doctorate in Germany—for all« programme of the Bau- ler (le ler l haus Research School continued its goal of internationalising doctoral studies at the university. t, 3); Thomas Mü Thomas 3); t, f t, 1; le 1; t, f Abbildungen: Candy Welz (le Welz Candy Abbildungen: University 18 AUGUST 2016 18 MAY 2016 12 MARCH 2016 14 JULY 2015 Between 22 and 27 August, undecided stu- 35 During the annual »HIT« open day, the uni- The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar took ﬁ rst dents had the opportunity to receive last-min- Career Day combined the versity opened its doors to prospective stu- place in the current funding ranking of the ute study guidance from the universities in Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s dents interested in learning more about the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Thuringia—among others, via WhatsApp. job fair with a programme studying at the Bauhaus. on postgraduate opportunities. 1 MARCH 2016 The University Library made its digital col- 4 JUNE 2015 9 JUNE 2016 lections available in the Europeana database. The two-month exhibition According to the title of 9 NOVEMBER 2015 »Ausgewählt!« [»Selected!«] »Words don’t come easy«, the The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar was selected for the second funding phase of the na- at the Haus Am Horn show- Bauhaus-Universität Weimar tional Teaching Quality Pact (Qualitätspakt cased the work of students hosted the second »Long Lehre). and alumni receiving university Night of Academic Writing«. 27 AUGUST 2015 funding. The Faculty of Civil Engineering hosted an Open Campus Day for the Bachelor’s degree programmes in civil engineering and computer science.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WHAT WAS THE TOPIC OF YOUR FIRST ILLUSTRATIONS WORDS. TERM PAPER? Jan Robert Dünnweller Decent, empathic, self-critical. It was about the Riehl House designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe — as part of a seminar WHAT CAN STUDENTS ATTENDING YOUR offered by Prof. Fritz Neumeyer at the TU Berlin. New LECTURES EXPECT? An intellectual adventure. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PROFESSION TODAY WHAT SHOULD AN ARCHITECT ALWAYS IF YOU HAD FLUNKED YOUR STUDIES? HAVE WITH THEM? I actually broke off a humanities degree in so- A camera to capture visual impressions. ciology, psychology and art history to become A number of new professors were also an architect! facesWHAT ITEM AVAILABLE IN THE BAUHAUS. appointed at Bauhaus-Universität ATELIER CAN YOU SIMPLY NOT RESIST? For several years now, I have been an avid Weimar in the last two semesters. Four follower of the »Horizonte« presentation and publication series that is organised and published by students. These fantastic pub- of them introduce themselves here: lications are available for purchase in the Bauhaus.Atelier. Verena von Beckerath, Matthias Kraus, Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Verena von Beckerath, Jörg Paulus and Jan Willmann share Professor for Housing Design tales of their very ﬁ rst term papers and unaccomplished career ideas.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE DINING HALL OR PACKED LUNCH? WORDS. Dining hall. Because eating with others is far Young. Motivated. Open-minded. more pleasant.

WHAT FILM CHARACTER WOULD YOU LIKE WHAT ITEM AVAILABLE IN THE BAUHAUS. TO SWITCH PLACES WITH FOR A DAY? ATELIER CAN YOU SIMPLY NOT RESIST? Neo (Keanu Reeves) from the 1999 sci-fi The I fi nd the »Fotothek, ein Augenblick« slide Matrix. I fi nd the concept of a parallel virtual / viewer absolutely fantastic. The notion of the real world and the ability to shift between these ephemeral but also of preserving and simplify- utterly fascinating. And are we actually far from ing are consistently achieved here. achieving this today? WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PROFESSION TODAY WHAT ITEM(S) CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND ON IF YOU HAD FLUNKED YOUR STUDIES? YOUR DESK? Probably a furniture maker — born from my love A 3D-printed miniature Eames rocking chair, of the material, the tangible, the masterful, and at the RAR model. also the detail. Dr. Jan Willmann, Junior Professor for the Theory university and History of Design

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PLEASE DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE DINING HALL OR PACKED LUNCH? WORDS. Dining hall. Because eating with others is far Young. Motivated. Open-minded. more pleasant.

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PLEASE DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WHAT SHOULD A CIVIL ENGINEER ALWAYS WORDS. HAVE WITH THEM? TEXT Determined, ambitious and fair. Their intellect and ﬂ exibility. Rosina Korschildgen

WHAT CAN STUDENTS ATTENDING YOUR WHAT ITEM(S) CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND ON LECTURES EXPECT? YOUR DESK? At home I’d like to quote my predecessor here: »Steel con- A pen and paper. struction is fun.« WHAT WAS THE TOPIC OF YOUR FIRST TERM PAPER? That’s a tough one … I have fond memories of one about aircraft hangars. Ahmad Naji was in the midst of WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PROFESSION TODAY a business degree in Damascus when IF YOU HAD FLUNKED YOUR STUDIES? Why would I have ﬂ unked my studies?! war broke out in his home country of Syria. He decided to leave his family Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Kraus, and to come to Germany. Professor for Steel and Hybrid An encounter involving a new start, Construction homesickness and good food.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WHAT WAS THE TOPIC OF YOUR FIRST WORDS. TERM PAPER? abroad I am a peripatetic who contemplates as I walk — It was on philosophy — Plato’s »Phaedrus«. I’ll think of the other two words on my next walk. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PROFESSION TODAY IF YOU HAD FLUNKED YOUR STUDIES? The everyday scene in the M18 student union that with grammar questions, writing letters WHAT CAN STUDENTS ATTENDING YOUR It’s diffi cult to say. During my degree in Berlin, at lunch: time for a quick coffee before the or fi nding my own apartment,« tells Ahmad. LECTURES EXPECT? I worked as a poultry delivery driver for the tra- next lecture. The queue is once again end- With the infl ux of refugees into Germa- Hopefully the right mix of the unexpected and ditional sausage manufacturer, Gebrüder Nölke. lessly long. Today, though, it is immediately ny at the end of 2015, around 30,000 asylum expected. While driving at the crack of dawn in a trance- discernible that something is different: excit- seekers arrived in Thuringia alone. Between like state, the thought often went through my ed faces, searching glances, a loud buzz of 900 and 1,000 registered refugees currently WHAT FILM CHARACTER WOULD YOU LIKE mind that maybe I would be offered a full-time voices. A great many refugees mingle among live in Weimar, many of whom are from war- TO SWITCH PLACES WITH FOR A DAY? position if I made a good impression. • the students. They come together at the start torn Syria. As in many other cities, countless Always a character from the last fi lm I saw at the of the new semester for language courses, a student initiatives were rapidly set up here. cinema (I only return to myself some time later). project offered by the »Wortschatz« student Whether for communal cooking, language initiative. Amidst the many small groups, I am learning or sewing workshops, students have WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST THOUGHT WHEN approached by Ahmad. »Are you maybe inter- worked hard to integrate refugees into social YOU WERE OFFERED A POSITION IN ested in learning Arabic this semester?« We life in Weimar and to help them make friends WEIMAR? get to talking. He fl ed Syria and has been liv- and feel more and more at home. Almost one Where can I get my hands on a bottle of cham- ing in Weimar for almost a year now. »I want year later, a close-knit community of students pagne in Braunschweig at this time of night?! to help those starting a German course and and refugees has developed, the »Welcome Prof. Dr. Jörg Paulus, to also offer an Arabic course for interested Weimar« network. Professor for Archive and Germans. I hope to be able to give something »For me, the best thing when I arrived in back in this way. Since I’ve been here, the Weimar was the language course at the uni- Literature Research students have helped me a great deal—be versity. I was able to practice speaking there

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PLEASE DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WHAT SHOULD A CIVIL ENGINEER ALWAYS WORDS. HAVE WITH THEM? TEXT Determined, ambitious and fair. Their intellect and ﬂ exibility. Rosina Korschildgen

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for refugees how to cook from her here over the tele- German. As I leave, I ask him which dish he phone.« He has tried German food and likes it, would recommend I try when I visit the Syrian too, though he ﬁ nds the salads far too bland. restaurant »Damas« in town. No, I should in- at the Later on in the evening when the buffet is stead come to his place and sample his home- almost all gone, grammar issues from the last made cuisine, he replies and laughs. language course are discussed over the empty A large residential complex in the We- Bauhaus- plates. Ahmad attempts to interpret between imar-West district. Ahmad has lived alone in Universität me and several others who are struggling with an apartment here for several months now. Weimar

and to gradually understand more,« Ahmad recalls. The 22-year-old came to Germany on his own. He crossed over to Turkey from How can you help refugees settle in Weimar? The »WELCOME WEIMAR« network within Lebanon, made his way to Germany and then Language and cultural exchanges, getting which all initiatives have joined forces continued on up to Weimar. »My new friends to know one another to overcome barriers— has developed from these many individual have become my family. I don’t have anyone students at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar ideas. The shared of ce located at Ma- else here,« he adds. »Have a think about the have become involved in countless dif- rienstrasse 7a serves as a meeting place for course. Or perhaps we’ll see you at the next ferent projects according to this principle all those seeking support as well as for communal dinner?« And then he disappears, since the refugees fi rst began arriving those wishing to help. The network also acts off to show other refugees to their groups. at the end of 2015. as a contact for research work and pro- Weimar’s »Initiative für Flüchtlinge« In addition to the »INITIATIVE FÜR jects on the subject of refugees. The German (IfF) refugee initiative invites everyone to FLÜCHTLINGE« (IfF) that began running Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) fi - »Projekt 1« every fi rst and third Tuesday of sociopolitical campaigns on the subject of nances a total of nine student assistantships the month for the communal dinner, known migration back in 2013, »WE HELP« has for student initiatives at the Bauhaus- here as the »Essen für alle«—or »Efa« for short. supported the of cial support groups’ lim- Universität Weimar. These student assistants Dishes are always brought along that the ref- ited capabilities with clothing donations are involved in individual projects and ugees traditionally cook at home. It is a little and childcare since autumn 2015. Countless also responsible for communication within piece of home for some—and an entirely new creative workshops are now also being the network as well as with external part- taste experience for all others. »So are you of ered, including a sewing workshop. ners. coming today? There’ll be tasty mulukhiyah,« Language as the key to integration: Moreover, since student involvement writes Ahmad to me in a reminder message one of the biggest initiatives are the free also means responsibility in terms of or- shortly before the event and is delighted language courses of ered at Bauhaus- ganisation, resources and internal arrange- when I do indeed come. Wine bottles double Universität Weimar by volunteers. At times, ments, these student assistants also act as candle holders; the atmosphere is homely. there are about as many students pre- as a central support within the network. The The guests exchange among themselves and sent as there are refugees (100!). They re- network wishes to continue working on get to know one another over some delicious ceive special training and of er daily existing projects together, but also to devel- food. Countless refugees and student helpers German courses at dif erent levels in small op and try out new ideas. The network’s sit at the tables, but new faces both young group teams. The language courses were philosophy should also be communicated and old can also be seen. Snippets of conver- initiated by the Professorship for Urban at the university more widely—to ac- sations in German, English and Arabic merge; Sociology and are continuously developed complish this goal, the individual initiatives there is a great deal of laughter and the food further in collaboration with the »WORT- regularly invite interested students and is praised. SCHATZ-SPRACHWERKSTATT MIT GEFLÜCH- university staf to meetings. »For Syrians, food is an important com- TETEN« initiative. munal part of the day, something special,« Improving German language skills is Cooking and eating together and says Ahmad. Mulukhiyah, he explains, is jute also the aim of the »REFUGEE BUDDY running language courses: countless leaves cooked in spices. »You know, like the PROGRAMME« that has brought twenty students get involved in voluntary jute used for your bags.« So who else did the refugee-student tandem pairs together »WELCOME WEIMAR NETWORK« programmes to help refugees settle cooking in his home? »In Syria, my mother in recent months, and organises group pic- w .facebook.com/ in Weimar. always cooked for us. I actually only learned nics and get-togethers. netzwerk.welcome.weimar

UNIVERSITY 40 Initiatives 41 for refugees how to cook from her here over the tele- German. As I leave, I ask him which dish he phone.« He has tried German food and likes it, would recommend I try when I visit the Syrian too, though he ﬁ nds the salads far too bland. restaurant »Damas« in town. No, I should in- at the Later on in the evening when the buffet is stead come to his place and sample his home- almost all gone, grammar issues from the last made cuisine, he replies and laughs. language course are discussed over the empty A large residential complex in the We- Bauhaus- plates. Ahmad attempts to interpret between imar-West district. Ahmad has lived alone in Universität me and several others who are struggling with an apartment here for several months now. Weimar

UNIVERSITY 42 43

Bedroom, bathroom, a small living room— doubles as his living room. »It very quickly there isn’t much space. But it immediately became unbearable in my fi rst place on Et- feels homely when I enter, and the smell of tersburger Straße. There were so many people spicy food wafts from the kitchen. »I found living in such a small space. I shared a room everything here on eBay classifi ed ads,« exactly half the size of the kitchen here with he says with a grin and invites me into the two others.« La familia kitchen. Featuring a large corner sofa, it also Initially, he struggled to fi nd a place of his own. But with the help of other students, he was soon able to move. His own apartment, a language course—and now? »I expected it to be easier here in Germany. There are still so many problems, particularly with Those who study in Weimar will be fa- the many letters and forms that I still can’t understand. Living alone also isn’t very inter- miliar with the phenomenon: running esting. I miss a lot of things about Syria. Cof- fee with my mother, for instance. We’d always into the same people several times a day. sit together in the evenings. It is a different story when you do not leave your family of your own accord, but rather must fl ee. I never It really doesn’t matter where you hap- thought the day would come when I would be forced to leave my family. There is one pen to be the town, there will always be good side to it though: now I have to learn everything for myself.« someone there that you know. People Due to the diffi cult situation in Syria, going back is not an option for Ahmad at know and like each other—studying and the moment. His next goal is to be able to B continue his business studies in Jena. When we met, he was planning on applying at the private life become one. Many stu- end of 2016 and to successfully complete his B2 German language course by then. »I think dents refer to this close-knit community that if we want to stay here, then we must learn about the German culture and exchange as »La familia«. And the Weimar circle A with one another. For me, that is integration. I want to understand the people—how they of friends really is like a new family for think here. And conversely, Germans should also learn about my culture. A great many those who have moved away from people think we are just tourists, but we U are not. We are just like them—there are no major differences between you and us.« He home for the fi rst time. These ties often laughs and gets up to put the kettle on. We cook a traditional Syrian dish with lentils and remain intact even after students have bulgar wheat together—accompanied by a spicy yoghurt sauce with tahini, bread and completed their studies, and Weimar H plenty of spice. »If you help someone,« says Ahmad as he saves the lentils we had almost forgotten graduates run into each other all over on the stove, »and this is a fundamental principle for me, then someone will also help you the place. too one day.« • A Some even return to the Bauhaus- Universität Weimar later on as lecturers— we asked three returnees what U Weimar and the relationships formed there mean for them. S

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Max Wasserkampf is a teaching and MAX WASSERKAMPF It seems almost a matter of course for Weimar Laura Straßer is a visiting researcher LAURA STRASER SEBASTIAN HELM research assistant for design and No matter where you go, you will auto- graduates to support and to show a certain for the product design programme My studies in Weimar were unbeliev- »Oh, isn’t it wonderful here! If I complex theory of buildings. He also matically meet people who studied in Weimar. fundamental respect for one another. This and owner of the studio Laura Strasser. ably intense for me because it was virtually couldn’t live here, I would holiday here«— works as a freelance architect. I experienced this in Leipzig when I moved may be due to the close-knit community and impossible to keep my studies and private life I once overheard this poetic statement on there after graduating. Right after my job in- shared experiences—you know of and are fa- clearly separate. The town is small, I complet- the streets of Weimar. As a province-loving terview, I met someone from Weimar on the miliar with one another. It is also due to the ed my projects in the immediate vicinity, and provincial, I would like to quote Kurt Tuchol- street, who then promptly invited me over to very good teaching, though, and to the atti- my friends were always very close by, just a sky at this point: »Save the province from the their place that evening. tude imparted during the architecture course. few minutes’ away by bike or on foot. provincials.« There are extremely high demands made upon Those who leave home and come to I have determined that I made the most the architect’s plans that I have absorbed and Weimar will fi nd a new family during their important contacts in my network during my always found very aspirational. This is also the studies that mostly goes above and beyond studies and then intensifi ed them. The estab- case for many others. their own degree programme and fl at-share. lishment of the university gallery »marke.6« Professor Kari Jormakka once said in an It rapidly became clear to me who I could had a major impact here; as did the coop- interview about teaching architecture that »get on well« with and I then often got to- eration with the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, teaching creative subjects is primarily about gether with the same people. Because the ACC-Galerie, Buchenwald Memorial, Volks- conveying an attitude. At the start of the project with them went well or simply be- boutique of Prof. Christine Hill and ever-new course, very different creative people come cause we got along. Friendships then devel- projects with my former lecturer and mentor, together, bound by a common interest in oped from this. Roger Behrens. architecture. Within less than a year, all are This proximity, referred to by many as This diverse network has brought me united by the same clothing style and attitude »the bubble«, naturally also led Weimar to back to Weimar time and time again. My most to certain issues. When this is achieved, says also get on our nerves from time to time. important contact here in Weimar is Maxi- Jormakka, the training has been a success. Studying and private life were so closely in- milian Sauerbier with whom I established You need to fi t in in Weimar. Student terwoven that it was impossible for us to es- the agency Schroeter & Berger back in 2005. life in the small town, often dubbed the »ide- cape from one another, so to speak. Every so The powerful impact of the interdisciplinary al world« by outsiders, is characterised by a often, you would feel the urge to leave We- course in Weimar can be discerned in our very close-knit family atmosphere, countless imar—at least for a short while. With a little methods and work, and we have tapped into open-minded individuals, private parties— distance, it would always then become clear this—as best we can. you very rapidly get the feeling that you are to me, though, how wonderful the cohesion The question of a network specifi c to well integrated. This feeling has an impact here actually is. After I was in New York on an Weimar can perhaps better be answered and Weimar graduates subsequently carry exchange, I really enjoyed coming back here. by a sociologist. I myself discerned similar this with them out into the big wide world. I spent two semesters teaching at the structures at the Berlin Weißensee School of I have returned as a member of staff Berlin University of the Arts and so have a Art and established contacts there that are because I am fi rm believer in the teaching good comparison to Weimar. The students equally as important and enduring. In con- style adopted in Weimar. I want to pass on Sebastian Helm is an artistic assistant there also naturally form close-knit groups, trast, I feel a certain sense of melancholy here to students the high standards and demands for media, trends and public appear- but these friends and acquaintances then live in Weimar, which—in combination with the of one’s own work that I also experienced. ance. He runs the agency Schroeter & all over the city. They mostly meet at uni; the provincial slowdown and the bourgeois at- However, it is also very important to me to Berger with Maximilian Sauerbier. distances in the city mean that it is far less titude that has prevailed in Thuringia for a have left. Only in this way was I able to re- common to »hang out« as much or as inten- long time now—can lead to better and more fl ect on how the quality of one’s own work is sively during everyday student life. productive creativity. appreciated elsewhere. Even if Weimar is a little bubble, you The decision to succumb to the dyna- do not necessarily know everyone in per- mism of the big city of Berlin and to view son. Many Bauhaus graduates actually only the metropolis as what is currently the most speak for the fi rst time when they are else- relevant place for progress, thought and where. Although they always saw each other creativity speaks volumes. I greatly value in Weimar, they never actually spoke. One Weimar though and feel both at ease and common theme is then always the shared ex- at home here. perience: Weimar. And funnily enough, a kind So I essentially feel at home in both cit- of fundamental sympathy then develops for a ies; I can defi nitely imagine trundling through complete stranger based on the shared study Weimar’s historic streets in an electric wheel- location of Weimar. chair with a horn in a few years’ time, though. When I returned to Weimar to teach, I Yes, I would defi nitely like to grow older and immediately felt at home. Because there is one day retire here. • a certain familiarity here that I missed elsewhere - even if it is a little strange to run into the same people three times a day. This ambivalence is a part of Weimar.

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ILLUSTRATIONS 1919 Katharina Hüttler Before founding the Weimar State Bauhaus One university, on 1 April 1919, Walter Gropius wrote to his mother: »I travelled there with little enthusiasm, but my radical plans found such reso- nance among the artists and students at the university that I almost hoped that it would many be a success. I have now also been offered the position of Director of the College of Art.« It hasn’t been that long since a new faculty was established and yet names this is no rarity in the over 150-year history of the university in Weimar. Over the years, the university 1930 Under the National Socialist German Wor- that is today known as the Bauhaus- ker’s Party (NSDAP), the Academy of Archi- 1951 tecture and Fine Arts and Academy of Crafts Universität Weimar has been sub- are brought together within the »United Arts On 13 July 1951, the Department Academy«. of Fine Arts is closed. Those still ject to continuous change, with new studying at the university are able to continue their studies in Berlin, names and restructuring measures. Leipzig or Dresden. Katharina Hüttler illustrates the eventful past. 2010, Weimar 2010. Weimar 2010, 1860 – On 1 October 1860, Grand Duke Charles Al- exander founds the art school as a private establishment of the court. Due to its location on the outskirts of Weimar, it is humorously referred to as the »Kunstscheune« [»Art Barn«]. 2016 1902 The Faculty of Design and the media art and In October, the architect and artist Henry van design programmes merge on 1 April 2016 de Velde opens the vocational art seminar as to form the Faculty of Art and Design. All art a private institute. Among others, he is res- and design programmes are now grouped wi- ponsible for designing what is today the main 1996 thin one faculty at the Bauhaus-Universität

university building at the Bauhaus-Universität can! And we to! want We are! But we (Ed.): Zimmermann Gerd Winkler, aus-Jürgen The Faculty of Design is inaugurated in 1993, l Weimar. Weimar. He criticised the leaf ornamentation followed by the Faculty of Media in 1996. The and »billowing women’s hair« of the contem- University of Architecture and Civil Enginee- porary art nouveau style, instead favouring ring is accorded university status and ofﬁ cially From Grand Ducal Art School to Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, 1860 Weimar, Bauhaus-Universität to Art School Ducal Grand From

— clear form in his buildings. named the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Frank Simon-Ritz, K Simon-Ritz, Frank 1 Vol.

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— clear form in his buildings. named the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Frank Simon-Ritz, K Simon-Ritz, Frank 1 Vol.

UNIVERSITY 4 OCTOBER 2016 29 APRIL 2016 7 MARCH 2016 17 JULY 2015 Between 2016 and 2019, the Bauhaus- The Bauhaus.Atelier launched its new online 49 Vice-President (Prorector) Prof. Jutta Emes Universität Weimar will receive funding to- shop that offers publications, design prod- was elected to the board of directors of the The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar talling € 430,000 from the German Academic ucts, graphics and much more—all created MDR public television broadcaster. and the Ethiopian Institute Exchange Service (DAAD) to strengthen rela- by Bauhaus students and alumni. of Architecture, Building Con- tions with four partner universities in Portu- 21 JANUARY 2016 gal, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar signed an struction and City Develop- agreement on objectives and performances ment (EiABC) at Addis Ababa 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 18 APRIL 2016 with the Free State of Thuringia, valid for a University signed an agree- As Bauhaus agents, Maxie Götze, Johannes period of four years. ment for the development of a Siebler and Valerie Stephani—all graduates University President (Rector) of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar—will Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke 19 OCTOBER 2015 joint research institute. develop tailored offers for the new Bauhaus and the Minister President of Within the scope of the strategic partnership museums in Weimar, Berlin and Dessau. between the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow, and the University of California, San Diego, 1 JUNE 2016 signed a memorandum of (UCSD), around 40 students and teachers The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar was in- understanding (MoU) with the from both universities met in Weimar from volved in project presentations, performances Moscow State University 19 to 24 October 2015 for a week-long work- and workshops at the Goethe Institute’s cul- shop. tural symposium. of Civil Engineering (MGSU) for a cooperation with the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. 6 SEPTEMBER 2015 25 MAY 2016 The project »Acting Space— Students of the Faculty of Art Bauhaus Goes Kunstfest 2015« and Design lit up the dome showcased students’ work ght, 2) ght, of the Zeiss Planetarium i and installations around town.

in Jena during the tenth »Full- partners & Dome Festival«. EiABC Addis Ababa (r Ababa EiABC Addis

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15 JUNE 2015 Fifteen international doctoral students at- tended the »Princeton-Weimar Summer School for Media Studies« in Weimar to address the future of archives. ght, 1); Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Bauhaus-Universität 1); ght, i 23 AUGUST 2015 10 MARCH 2015 ler (r ler l Galerie Eigenheim and the Kunstfest Wei- Architecture students designed information mar presented contemporary art in the for- boxes for the »BUGA 2021« in Erfurt. The mer juvenile detention centre in Weimar as boxes will accompany the marketing for the part of the exhibition »Glücksprinzip« [»The national garden show in the coming years. t, 2); Thomas Mü Thomas 2); t, f Principle of Happiness«], including work by students, staff and alumni of the Bauhaus- 21 JANUARY 2015 Universität Weimar. From 2015, Kulturtragwerk e. V. (KTW) will an Großert (le an Großert

i operate the students’ club formerly known as »Schützengasse«, which is now called »Pro- jekt 1«. t, 1); Sebast 1); t, f Abbildungen: Linda Troeller (le Troeller Linda Abbildungen: University 4 OCTOBER 2016 29 APRIL 2016 7 MARCH 2016 17 JULY 2015 Between 2016 and 2019, the Bauhaus- The Bauhaus.Atelier launched its new online 49 Vice-President (Prorector) Prof. Jutta Emes Universität Weimar will receive funding to- shop that offers publications, design prod- was elected to the board of directors of the The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar talling € 430,000 from the German Academic ucts, graphics and much more—all created MDR public television broadcaster. and the Ethiopian Institute Exchange Service (DAAD) to strengthen rela- by Bauhaus students and alumni. of Architecture, Building Con- tions with four partner universities in Portu- 21 JANUARY 2016 gal, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar signed an struction and City Develop- agreement on objectives and performances ment (EiABC) at Addis Ababa 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 18 APRIL 2016 with the Free State of Thuringia, valid for a University signed an agree- As Bauhaus agents, Maxie Götze, Johannes period of four years. ment for the development of a Siebler and Valerie Stephani—all graduates University President (Rector) of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar—will Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke 19 OCTOBER 2015 joint research institute. develop tailored offers for the new Bauhaus and the Minister President of Within the scope of the strategic partnership museums in Weimar, Berlin and Dessau. between the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow, and the University of California, San Diego, 1 JUNE 2016 signed a memorandum of (UCSD), around 40 students and teachers The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar was in- understanding (MoU) with the from both universities met in Weimar from volved in project presentations, performances Moscow State University 19 to 24 October 2015 for a week-long work- and workshops at the Goethe Institute’s cul- shop. tural symposium. of Civil Engineering (MGSU) for a cooperation with the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. 6 SEPTEMBER 2015 25 MAY 2016 The project »Acting Space— Students of the Faculty of Art Bauhaus Goes Kunstfest 2015« and Design lit up the dome showcased students’ work ght, 2) ght, of the Zeiss Planetarium i and installations around town. in Jena during the tenth »Full- partners & Dome Festival«. EiABC Addis Ababa (r Ababa EiABC Addis

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loured backgrounds and software is then used At the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, the pro- TEXT to render them transparent. High-resolution gnosis is very good, though: »Among all the Dana Höftmann zoomable product photos are created in this universities in Thuringia, we are ranked third way that can be incorporated into online and in terms of the patents used. This is defi nitely The all-round offl ine marketing materials. The procedure ta- something special for such a small universi- kes less than fi ve minutes per item. And there ty,« Schönherr reports. But why might this be? is also no need for a professional photogra- »We conduct targeted reviews beforehand to pher. This in turn helps to reduce the costs determine which inventions show potential, and speeds up the approval processes. and search for partners in industry and society patent at an early stage,« she explains. The outcome is that while fewer patents are registered, a Digital 360-degree product photos, PATENTED PROCEDURE proportionately large number of these regis- BASED ON RESEARCH trations are confi rmed and ultimately used. created in a matter of minutes: The procedure is based on a patented procedure developed by the Bauhaus-Univer- thanks to an invention developed at sität Weimar within the German CHANCE FOR START-UPS Research Foundation (DFG) Start-ups that turn unused patents into project »Augmented Stu- products tend to be the exception, though: the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, dio: Controlled Light »For many entrepreneurs, patents are a rather Modulation in Television abstract concept,« Rojahn suspects. For wor- Anna Rojahn has been able to make Studios« led by Prof. Dr. king with a patent requires a willingness to Oliver Bimber at the Facul- experiment with technology and hardware. her idea a reality. ty of Media. The aim was to This expertise is often simply lacking. Look- optimise the chroma keying pro- ing back, the entrepreneur therefore advises: cedure, a technique widely used in video »When establishing a company, it is easier to and fi lm editing, in order to avoid typical create something from your own fi elds of ex- editing errors. perience to be able to gauge the likelihood of Professor Bimber had the invention patented a product actually being a success. Given my back in 2010. This ensures that the intellec- professional background as a brand manager, tual property remains with the re- I knew that there was a great deal of scope searchers or university. Rojahn for the optimisation of product photography.« fi rst became aware of the Every entrepreneur who bears this in procedure almost two ye- mind should take a look at the register of the ars later. After a brief tele- German Patent and Trade Mark Offi ce (DPMA) phone conversation with or the Research Operations Offi ce website: Anica Meiland, a lawyer »There are a great many unused patents that at the Research Operations could help to solve specifi c problems in indus- Offi ce, it was determined that the try. We are open to cooperations with start- patent had not yet been used and ups and established companies,« confi rms Dr. could therefore be applied in the Schönherr. Rojahn also praises the open dia- fi eld of product photography upon logue with the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: Electronic devices, clothing, wine—online working on a solution since 2012: »I wan- payment of a licence fee. This proved a »Small universities offer the advantage that it product sales are booming. Ordering online ted to automate product photography,« the stroke of luck for both sides. is easier to get in touch with the right person is quick and easy. And once items have been entrepreneur explains. An unused patent and to fi nd out whether the patent and user added to the virtual shopping basket, it usual- from the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar ulti- are a good fi t.« What’s more, Fast Forward ly doesn’t take long before they are delivered mately got the ball rolling. Rojahn obtained FROM RESEARCH Imaging is developing the technology for the to us at home. Yet, sometimes we are disap- the exclusive licence to the chroma keying INTO INDUSTRY new product photography even further—in pointed with what arrives. Those who shop process developed at the Bauhaus-Universi- »It is often years before a patent is ac- the fi eld of virtual reality: it is possible to ac- online expect a realistic product description. tät Weimar and established the company Fast tually used on the market, though,« tells Dr. cess shops online and to view individual pro- After all, no one likes buying items without Forward Imaging. Kristina Schönherr, Head of the Research ducts up close from different angles. • having viewed them fi rst. The small Berlin-based start-up uses the Operations Offi ce in Weimar. At the same The quality of the images is often the de- innovative technology that allows 360-de- time, there are ongoing costs for consulting, termining factor in the decision of whether to gree product photos to be created quickly research and patent lawyers, along with an order an item or not. And yet few companies and cheaply. The B2B company developed Anna Rojahn has revolutionised annual protection fee. Hence every patent invest in a professional advertising shoot: the the hardware itself to be able to use the pro- product photography for online shops. also constitutes an investment that must studio, photographer, image processing and cess. The company’s production department She was able to achieve this by be carefully weighed. »It’s a bit like poker,« coordination are expensive and time-consu- builds photo boxes of different sizes. Items obtaining the exclusive licence for Schönherr explains. »No one can know for ming. Former brand manager Anna Rojahn are then photographed from all directions an invention that was developed at certain how commercially successful a patent is familiar with this problem. She has been entirely automatically in front of different co- the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. will be.«

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The project »Three Bauhaus Museums. Plan- hallenpark, the Neue Weimarhalle and the TEXT ning and Politics in Weimar, Dessau and Ber- »Lange Jakob« in an East German modernist Maximilian Örtl, lin« considered questions relating to the ar- style are also situated close to the planned Fabian Ebeling chitecture, urban development, competitive site for the new Bauhaus Museum. The latter The new process, institutional and personal conﬂ icts, is a student hall of residence that was built in and the respective urban development poli- the early 1970s. Until completion of the new ILLUSTRATIONS cies. It became clear during the course of this Bauhaus Museum, this tower block represents Tina Kaden that the building project in Weimar differed the only attempt to create an antagonist to considerably from those in Berlin and Dessau: the NS architecture. modern era the Bauhaus Museum’s unique, history-rich The Weimar Bauhaus is to now set a urban setting offers some promising oppor- striking urban symbol in this controversial 2019 marks the centenary tunities for the future museum district. location. The design by Heike Hanada, a minimalistic white cube, captivates with its of the founding of the Bauhaus. clear positioning in this historically signif- icant setting. The Klassik Stiftung Weimar To celebrate this milestone, a new cultural institution selected the design from over 500 submissions in an open architecture competition. With the new museum, new op- Bauhaus museum is to be built portunities will open up to Weimar—particularly with regard to the possible meaningful in Weimar, with building work also interactions between the different buildings located there. Weimar’s museum project thus planned in Dessau and Berlin. differs greatly from those in Dessau and Berlin, where no particular strategy is being pursued Students in the Bachelor’s degree with the museum projects. programme for »Urbanistik« investigated the planning process in the three cities.

THE MUSEUM AS LOCATION SITE POLITICS Weimar already has a Bauhaus Museum, though this was actually only ever intended to be temporary. The desire for a new facility has therefore existed for a long time now. When the federal government unexpectedly allocat- ed funding for construction of a new building in 2006, an intensive location debate began. TOPOGRAPHY OF MODERNISM The decision was ultimately reached in favour Weimar is known to this day as a place of a historically controversial site close to the of classicism—and yet the signiﬁ cance of his- Gauforum. This building complex whose con- toric modernism to the town is often under- struction began in 1937 as part of a massive estimated. The new Bauhaus Museum could urban development offensive by the National change this. Hence the town’s different insti- Socialists dominates the entire district. It was tutions already began discussing in 2012 how also the pressure exerted on the Weimar State a spatially united and cross-era network—a Bauhaus by National Socialist powers that led »Topography of Modernism«—could be cre- the art school to relocate to Dessau at the ated, based around the future museum’s lo- end of 1924. cation in the north of Weimar’s centre. The The former Grand Ducal Museum (to- students drew on this in their project and day the Neues Museum), the historic Weimar- prepared suggestions that should contribute

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Within the project »Three Bauhaus Museums. Planning and Politics in Weimar, Dessau and Berlin«, students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning investigated the planning processes for the three new Bauhaus museums in Weimar, Dessau and Berlin under the supervision of Max Welch Guerra and Caroline Kauert.

to a new quality of political approach to the A NEW APPROACH Bauhaus, modernism and its attributes in We- The research into modernism with its imar. The aim: to render the »Topography of educational venues should be linked in this Modernism« more tangible. way in the future. A freely accessible room in The word »topography« originates from the new Bauhaus Museum that has already the Greek and describes the mapping of been planned is to provide information on something. The »Topography of Modernism« modernism and Weimar’s special topography. is to link venues, exhibition spaces and ex- It was also suggested that students cooper- hibits with one another in order to showcase ate with the museum on projects and pres- modernism in its full ambivalence. Within ent their work there. A new cultural district the project, students identifi ed four fi elds of could be created around the new Bauhaus action and their impact on Weimar: research, Museum by linking different institutions and education, tourism and urban development. opening these up for creative purposes. The Nordvorstadt district already boasts countless institutions of cultural or commemorative sig- nifi cance, including the Stadtmuseum, Other Music Academy, e.werk, a former juvenile detention centre, KunstTurm art centre and Stellwerk youth theatre. Following on from past incentives, a topographical map of the town featuring a »modernism walking tour« is to now be developed. Students presented their suggestions to a professional audience and also outlined them in a brochure with the support of the Bauhaus.Moderne.Weimar art society. The stakeholders’ response to their suggestions proved extremely positive. Opening of the new Bauhaus museum at the topographic centre of the aforementioned multi-layered and fragmented setting could present a decisive opportunity to redefi ne Weimar as a town of ambivalent modernism. • 54 55

Within the project »Three Bauhaus Museums. Planning and Politics in TEXT Weimar, Dessau and Berlin«, students Nele Claus 15 pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning investigated the planning processes for the three new neudeli Bauhaus museums in Weimar, Dessau and Berlin under the supervision of Max Welch Guerra and Caroline Kauert. Those wishing to establish a company turns after fi nishing uni should ideally start here: neudeli fi rst opened back in 2001. In 2016, it celebrated a milestone anniversary. 15 to a new quality of political approach to the A NEW APPROACH Bicycles line the entrance to Startup Hub perience in the process will fi nd support at Bauhaus, modernism and its attributes in We- The research into modernism with its »neudeli«. Some even hang upside-down neudeli. For fi fteen years now, the start-up imar. The aim: to render the »Topography of educational venues should be linked in this from the railing of the steps leading up to the hub has helped students, alumni and univer- Modernism« more tangible. way in the future. A freely accessible room in grand villa in an art nouveau style. sity staff to set up companies. The word »topography« originates from the new Bauhaus Museum that has already People engrossed in lively discussions Over time, the fi rst prototypes the Greek and describes the mapping of been planned is to provide information on can be spied through a window. Lights burn developed from original ideas. With shining something. The »Topography of Modernism« modernism and Weimar’s special topography. here late into the night—in fact, the lights eyes, entrepreneurs tell of their grand visions is to link venues, exhibition spaces and ex- It was also suggested that students cooper- from the garage even shine brightly into the and describe their projects down to the last hibits with one another in order to showcase ate with the museum on projects and pres- garden in the evenings. Those who establish detail. Full of enthusiasm, curiosity and am- modernism in its full ambivalence. Within ent their work there. A new cultural district a company know no set working hours or bition, they work for nights on end to fi ne- the project, students identifi ed four fi elds of could be created around the new Bauhaus paid overtime. Instead of debating the pros tune their concepts. Some teach themselves action and their impact on Weimar: research, Museum by linking different institutions and and cons of nine-to-fi ve jobs or the optimal to programme, others write a calculation for education, tourism and urban development. opening these up for creative purposes. The work-life balance, they devote every spare the fi rst time in their lives. Nordvorstadt district already boasts countless minute to developing their own ideas further. The neudeli Fellowship was launched in institutions of cultural or commemorative sig- Concepts must be drafted, prototypes built, spring 2015 to facilitate the start for entre- nifi cance, including the Stadtmuseum, Other business models developed and business preneurs. »The funding programme provides Music Academy, e.werk, a former juvenile plans written. selected teams with the necessary start-up detention centre, KunstTurm art centre and assistance to check the potential and mar- Stellwerk youth theatre. Following on from ketability of their idea,« says Seeber of the past incentives, a topographical map of the IN THE BEGINNING IS AN IDEA purpose of funding. »This gives teams the town featuring a »modernism walking tour« »It is virtually impossible to complete necessary space to develop business models is to now be developed. the multitude of tasks alone. Establishing a and concretise the fi rst prototypes.« Ultimate- Students presented their suggestions company involves team work,« explains neu- ly, the aim is to prepare projects for potential to a professional audience and also outlined deli team member, Juliane Seeber. Thus ideas follow-up funding. What’s more, this time al- them in a brochure with the support of the are often developed during discussions with lows the aspiring entrepreneurs to determine Bauhaus.Moderne.Weimar art society. The friends and acquaintances, during joint work if and how they fi t together as a team, and stakeholders’ response to their suggestions on a project or during after-work drinks at a how well they are able to work with one an- proved extremely positive. Opening of the local bar. Turning a spur-of-the-moment idea other. »Because you spend a great deal of time new Bauhaus museum at the topographic into a promising start-up concept requires together, it is not only important to be able centre of the aforementioned multi-layered courage and the necessary know-how—along to work together on a professional level. The and fragmented setting could present a de- with time and money, of course. Those at the personal aspect needs to fi t as well to a cer- cisive opportunity to redefi ne Weimar as a Bauhaus-Universität Weimar wishing to try tain degree,« points out Charlene Wündsch town of ambivalent modernism. • 15 their hand at entrepreneurship and gain ex- from the neudeli team.

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SUCCESSFUL START-UPS AND by the German Federal Ministry for Eco- MEANINGFUL FAILURES nomic Affairs and Energy supports innovative Functioning models are developed technology-oriented or knowledge-based from prototypes; newspapers and blogs start-ups. It is co-fi nanced by the European 15 report on the projects. The teams apply Social Fund. Entrepreneurs from universities for funding and launch crowdfunding cam- and external research facilities wishing to im- paigns. They present their ideas at trade fairs plement their idea in a business plan receive and move into their own workshops or of- a one year of coaching and a grant to cover fi ces. If entrepreneurs pursue and develop their living costs. their projects with determination, their eyes neudeli continues to provide the en- still shine, but something also changes: their trepreneurs with extensive support during presentation becomes more professional and this phase. Many project groups only leave Happy targeted. A fl ash of inspiration has become a after this: they establish contact with network Birthday! business model. partners or take advantage of the diverse fol- And yet not every idea can ultimately low-up funding options. Not all entrepreneurs be transformed into a successful concept; pursue the route of funding programmes spe- sometimes the start-up teams go their sep- cifi cally for start-ups though. Some instead arate ways to begin new projects elsewhere. rely on crowdfunding or a classic bank loan; At neudeli, this certainly does not mean that others produce and sell their products a few an entrepreneur has »failed«. »We wish to es- at a time. The individual success stories are tablish a culture in which people learn to face consequently as diverse as the projects and their mistakes so that it is no longer consid- the people behind them. »There is no such ered wrong to fail,« says Wündsch of neudeli’s thing as a typical entrepreneur personality,« fundamental attitude. Thus the teams based Seeber concludes. »Most important of all is in the start-up villa regularly discuss their ex- enthusiasm for an idea and being able to con- periences and speak of their mistakes so that vey this to other people.« • others can learn from these. The fi rst neudeli fellows have since taken the next step on the start-up ladder and can look forward to receiving EXIST 15 start-up funding. This programme fi nanced

Current start-up w .neudeli.net projects

ALTERNATIVE SURFBOARDS The passionate surfers Johannes Jaeger, a graduate of the Master’s programme in archi- FROXTER PLAYKIT tecture, and Matthias Tierling, toolmaker and Stefanie Holzheu and Sang Lee are archi- carpenter, plan to develop 100% eco-friendly tecture alumni and parents to a young daughter. and sustainable surfboards. The idea is They link analogue and digital learning for based on the surfer attitude of life at one with young children to stimulate their creativity. nature, transferred to a sustainable material.

TUUR MO2 AIRCARE Christina Lobermeyer and Paula Weise studied Melissa Harms and Anne Genkel, both Master’s product design at the Bauhaus-Universität students for visual cultures at the Bauhaus- Weimar between 2005 and 2011. TUUR is an Universität Weimar, are the two people behind innovative label based on collaborative this start-up. They have developed an innova- design and production steps that seeks to of er tive concept for air puriﬁ cation in indoor spaces media accompaniment of the process from that transforms designer objects into useful idea to customer. everyday aids. 56 57

SUCCESSFUL START-UPS AND by the German Federal Ministry for Eco- MEANINGFUL FAILURES nomic Affairs and Energy supports innovative TEXT Functioning models are developed technology-oriented or knowledge-based Andrea Karle from prototypes; newspapers and blogs start-ups. It is co-fi nanced by the European 15 report on the projects. The teams apply Social Fund. Entrepreneurs from universities Timeless for funding and launch crowdfunding cam- and external research facilities wishing to im- paigns. They present their ideas at trade fairs plement their idea in a business plan receive and move into their own workshops or of- a one year of coaching and a grant to cover fi ces. If entrepreneurs pursue and develop their living costs. their projects with determination, their eyes neudeli continues to provide the en- avant- still shine, but something also changes: their trepreneurs with extensive support during presentation becomes more professional and this phase. Many project groups only leave First published in 1929, the lifestyle Happy targeted. A fl ash of inspiration has become a after this: they establish contact with network Birthday! business model. partners or take advantage of the diverse fol- magazine »die neue linie« enter- And yet not every idea can ultimately low-up funding options. Not all entrepreneurs gardism be transformed into a successful concept; pursue the route of funding programmes spe- tained »people with taste« up until sometimes the start-up teams go their sep- cifi cally for start-ups though. Some instead arate ways to begin new projects elsewhere. rely on crowdfunding or a classic bank loan; At neudeli, this certainly does not mean that others produce and sell their products a few 1943. The university library has an entrepreneur has »failed«. »We wish to es- at a time. The individual success stories are tablish a culture in which people learn to face consequently as diverse as the projects and had fi ve volumes of the publication their mistakes so that it is no longer consid- the people behind them. »There is no such ered wrong to fail,« says Wündsch of neudeli’s thing as a typical entrepreneur personality,« in stock since September 2016. fundamental attitude. Thus the teams based Seeber concludes. »Most important of all is in the start-up villa regularly discuss their ex- enthusiasm for an idea and being able to con- What makes this magazine so special? periences and speak of their mistakes so that vey this to other people.« • others can learn from these. The fi rst neudeli fellows have since taken the next step on the start-up ladder and can look forward to receiving EXIST 15 start-up funding. This programme fi nanced

Current start-up w .neudeli.net projects

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A woman is draped in a fur coat. She faces this rapidly becomes clear upon browsing away from beholders, gazing out of a window an issue of »die neue linie«: busts of Hitler, over a wintry mountainscape. In lower case Mussolini and other dictators are depicted along the top are the words »die neue linie«. in the same issue in which Walter Gropius This cover was designed by the former Bau- describes and documents a family housing haus master, László Moholy-Nagy. Elaborately project. »When the National Socialists came ﬁ nished in silver print, all of the means avail- to power, »die neue linie« also struggled to able to commercial art at the time are used. remain true to its avant-garde aspirations. Moholy-Nagy was also responsible for the Thus classic imagery became increasingly basic magazine layout, which emcompassed dominant and Fraktur typeface was also oc- contemporary fashion, architecture and travel. casionally used for titles,« tells Rössler.

FROM THE KIOSK TO THE LIBRARY » Present-day design is And yet »die neue linie« continues to provide visual communication students with always a refl ection of what important impetus to this day. Thus it can be considered a lucky coincidence that Dr. Frank-Simon Ritz, Library Director at the Bau- already exists.« haus-Universität Weimar, has now been able to acquire the volumes for the years 1934 through to 1938. Adrian Palko, an artistic assistant for graphic design knows: »The imagery, the white space—it is already all very modern. I can imagine that »die neue linie« must have seemed rather at odds with the times com- pared to other magazines available at the local kiosk as a consequence.« He leafs through the magazines bound in heavy books: »Taking a glance at the cover illustrations, it would be hard to guess that these magazines were produced before the Second World War!« Herbert Bayer, a Bauhaus student in Dessau Despite the tension between mod- and later head of the print and advertising ernism and the NS era, »die neue linie« can workshop, designed the lower case title along serve as inspiration—for students can draw with 26 cover illustrations. this from all kinds of print publications: »This »With its progressive name and modern semester, I am running a specialist course design, »die neue linie« clearly set itself apart on editorial design. In our fi rst session, the from other magazines,« explains Prof. Patrick students presented magazines and analysed Rössler. According to the Erfurt-based profes- their formal layout. They were free to choose sor for communication studies, other publi- whether they considered a publication with cations in Germany also identifi ed with the a particularly good layout or just a cheap concept of the »new« in the mid-1920s. It was gossip magazine. This preparatory work is a cipher of modernism, so to speak. Rössler is important to be able to develop a design con- more familiar with »die neue linie« than any- cept for oneself later on,« says Palko. »After one else. He devoted an entire research pro- all, present-day design is always a refl ection ject to the magazine, creating an exhibition of what already exists. »die neue linie« pro- for the Bauhaus Archive Berlin in 2007, which vides examples of the design language upon was subsequently also shown at the Bauhaus which the Swiss graphic design style and Museum in Weimar in 2009. In June 2016, he the Ulmer Schule are based. Today they are held a guest lecture within the scope of the trend-setting.« Alone to be able to under- series of events on the controversies in Wei- stand such references makes it worthwhile mar hosted by the Bauhaus-Universität Wei- for visual communication students to take a mar in collaboration with the Klassik Stiftung look at these magazines. • The magazine’s layout was designed Weimar cultural institution. by László Moholy-Nagy; Herbert »This magazine was created between Bayer created the lower case title line the poles of modernist design and system con- and countless cover illustrations. formism.« What Patrick Rössler means with

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TEXT Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke » Universities provide training for a future that is unknown to us all«

Universities are institutions that should con- them to question and change existing social sider and shape social change. This change models and solutions. It is not about catering allows us to hope that the world can be de- to a superﬁ cial need. Universities provide veloped and improved further, and opens up training for a future that is unknown to us all. new perspectives to people in their lives. So- Solutions that are today still expedient may cial systems in which people or institutions already be outdated in just a few years’ time. claim to always be right and therefore prevent In order to fulﬁ l their purpose, universities the process of change are not viable in the must therefore withstand extreme contradic- long run. Stability lies in systematic changes tions and major challenges at times. Only in and thus in a system’s controlled dynamics. this way can the necessary change processes As an engineer, I know very well that stasis be set in motion. is a theoretical construct that does not exist Development of the academic system in reality. Even materials that are supposedly has led to an ever-growing specialisation of The magazines can be borrowed solid are also composed of dynamic atoms. the academic disciplines—and that not only from the university library by University studies should enable stu- in Germany. While there were just a few completing a magazine order form. dents to gain an education that empowers disciplines that could be offered in full at a

PART ING WORDS 61

TEXT Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke » Universities provide training for a future that is unknown to us all«

Universities are institutions that should con- them to question and change existing social sider and shape social change. This change models and solutions. It is not about catering allows us to hope that the world can be de- to a superﬁ cial need. Universities provide veloped and improved further, and opens up training for a future that is unknown to us all. new perspectives to people in their lives. So- Solutions that are today still expedient may cial systems in which people or institutions already be outdated in just a few years’ time. claim to always be right and therefore prevent In order to fulﬁ l their purpose, universities the process of change are not viable in the must therefore withstand extreme contradic- long run. Stability lies in systematic changes tions and major challenges at times. Only in and thus in a system’s controlled dynamics. this way can the necessary change processes As an engineer, I know very well that stasis be set in motion. is a theoretical construct that does not exist Development of the academic system in reality. Even materials that are supposedly has led to an ever-growing specialisation of solid are also composed of dynamic atoms. the academic disciplines—and that not only University studies should enable stu- in Germany. While there were just a few dents to gain an education that empowers disciplines that could be offered in full at a

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Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke has been »universitas scientiae« in the early twentieth IMPRINT the President (Rector) of the century, the subject classiﬁ cation of the Ger- BAUHAUS.JOURNAL 2015 / 2016 Bauhaus-Universität Weimar since man Research Foundation (DFG) today lists Magazine of the 2011. In April 2017, he will pass 14 research ﬁ elds such as humanities and con- Bauhaus-Universität Weimar this of ce on to his successor, Prof. struction engineering and architecture, with PUBLISHER Dr. Winfried Speitkamp. He shared a total of 213 subject areas. No university is The President (Rector) of the Bauhaus- his thoughts on the future of univer- able to offer such a huge wealth of subjects Universität Weimar, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke, sities with the BAUHAUS.JOURNAL. at an international level any more. 99412 Weimar

Many scientists agree that the chal- CONCEPT lenges to signiﬁ cant advances no longer lie Fabian Ebeling, Andrea Karle, in the ever-greater specialisation within re- Viola Kristin Steinberg, Claudia Weinreich

search ﬁ elds, but rather in an international EDITORIAL TEAM consolidation of the strategies for solutions. Claudia Weinreich (editor-in-chief), Interfaces allow us isolated consideration Fabian Ebeling (editor), Andrea Karle (student assistant) of seemingly unrelated problems; joint ventures seek to overcome these artiﬁ cial LAYOUT boundaries. Complex social tasks and the Viola Kristin Steinberg

major challenges of our times require a ho- IMAGE CONCEPTION AND PHOTOGRAPHY listic approach that goes beyond the borders Marcus Glahn of existing disciplines. CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar con- Karl Beucke, Nele Claus, Fabian Ebeling, sistently created a clear profi le for itself early Sebastian Helm, Dana Höftmann, on, which refl ects its core value of the shap- Andrea Karle, Rosina Korschildgen, Maximilian Örtl, Romy Weinhold, ing of the world as a whole. Conception and Claudia Weinreich design, architecture and engineering are required to overcome the complex problems in ILLUSTRATIONS Jan Robert Dünnweller, Katharina Hüttler, the planning, implementation and preserva- Tina Kaden tion of our living environment—and today, this also invariably includes the infl uence of SOUND RECORDINGS (for research pitches) Marcus Glahn digital media. I fi rmly believe that the orientation and ENGLISH TRANSLATION role of universities in Germany has stood the Denise Dewey-Muno

test of time. I consider a restriction of the PROOFREADING freedoms and self-determined subject orien- Elizabeth Watts tation by universities in line with economic PRINTING HOUSE or political agendas to be short-sighted, inap- Buch- und Kunstdruckerei Keßler GmbH, propriate and detrimental. The development Weimar of our academic system in Germany, which PAPER has been decentralised and relatively free of Galaxi Supermat 200 gr / m² + 115 gr / m² economic control so far, must be maintained (corporate paper) at all costs—it is of immense value and should TYPEFACES not be recklessly called into question. Only Linotype Syntax (corporate font) + in this way can the aforementioned change Chapeau (by Milieu Grotesque) processes be oriented towards long-term, val- The digital version of the ue-based goals; only in this way can univer- BAUHAUS.JOURNAL 2015 / 2016 sities unlock their full potential for the future is available online at viability of our society. The Bauhaus-Universi- w .uni-weimar.de/bauhausjournal Audio recordings for the three research tät Weimar is well prepared to continue mak- pitches and other photo spreads are ing its own contribution. • also available online.

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2015 /2016

Magazine of the English www.uni-weimar.de Bauhaus-Universität Weimar edition