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Bauhaus 2019

A look back in the 2019 Bauhaus-Centenary

The extraordinary exhibition concept of a Cologne art gallery in 1985 has allowed Günter Wermekes an impressive encounter with the world-famous school of design that was established 100 years ago. In his exhibitions during the mid-eighties the gallery owner and publisher Wolfgang Wangler, a recognized Bauhaus specialist, combined the works of former Bauhaus-students with the works of young contemporary designers. So in 1985 he presented in his “Symbol“ gallery in the south end of Cologne City wall hangings of the Bauhaus artist Katja Rose along with the experimental steel jewelry of Günter Wermekes. Katja Rose, from 1931-33 had been a student in the weaving class of the Bauhaus. In the year 1984 the Berlin Bauhaus-Archive dedicated to her a single exhibition. Responding to Wolfgang Wangler’s request, each one of the artists has left a so-called “trace“ in the rooms of the gallery. Günter Wermekes designed and handcrafted a door handle from stainless steel for the rooms of the Cologne publishing house and gallery, a unique piece of art. The “trace“ he had left in this way has led to a cooperation with the
TECNOLumen/TECNOLine firms. For them Wermekes has designed two door handles in 1985 and 1991. TECNOLumen was incorporated in 1980 by Walter Schnepel and has been a lighting manufacturer ever since specializing in design lights, most of all from the Bauhaus, (e.g. the Wagenfeld table lamp). The TECNOLine sister company produces door fittings and switches.“Meeting the gallery owner Wolfgang Wangler and the entrepreneur and art collector
Walter Schnepel, in the best sense of the word, have shown me my way. Seeing my own designs on the same level with those of Walter Gropius, Wilhelm Wagenfeld and Ferdinand Kramer has been to me both, acknowledgement and a great incentive.“

Photographs gallery: Herbert Koller

A look back in the 2019 Bauhaus-Centenary – Bild 1
A look back in the 2019 Bauhaus-Centenary – Bild 2
A look back in the 2019 Bauhaus-Centenary – Bild 3
A look back in the 2019 Bauhaus-Centenary – Bild 4
A look back in the 2019 Bauhaus-Centenary – Bild 5
A look back in the 2019 Bauhaus-Centenary – Bild 6