As I understand it, the Modernist design practiced in the Bauhaus conformed
to a general belief that man could march forward with technology to some kind
of utopian society, hence the emphasis on new materials like tubular steel in
Bauhaus furniture: science and art were, for once, united in their
aspirations. I think paintings by Piet Mondrian are another good indication
of this intent; their emphasis on harmony in terms of colour and geometry.
Le Corbusier's utopian cities follow a natural progression from this line of
thought: if all is aesthetically and technologically perfect, if forms follow
functions and all is designed to bring good architecture to all citizens,
then we have a perfect society.
Inevitably, such utopian aspirations were influenced by political thinking at
the time. It is interesting that universalist ideals lend themselves to both
Socialism and Fascism. The great disillusionment of the late 20th Century is
in finding that such thinking is not only idealistic, but dangerous.
Peter Hall
Writer
to a general belief that man could march forward with technology to some kind
of utopian society, hence the emphasis on new materials like tubular steel in
Bauhaus furniture: science and art were, for once, united in their
aspirations. I think paintings by Piet Mondrian are another good indication
of this intent; their emphasis on harmony in terms of colour and geometry.
Le Corbusier's utopian cities follow a natural progression from this line of
thought: if all is aesthetically and technologically perfect, if forms follow
functions and all is designed to bring good architecture to all citizens,
then we have a perfect society.
Inevitably, such utopian aspirations were influenced by political thinking at
the time. It is interesting that universalist ideals lend themselves to both
Socialism and Fascism. The great disillusionment of the late 20th Century is
in finding that such thinking is not only idealistic, but dangerous.
Peter Hall
Writer