Re-reading Bauhaus Histories: Appropriations and Global Perspectives

Recent publications on Bauhaus histories reveal that the New European Bauhaus initiative, proposed by Ursula von der Leyen in 2020, mirrors a long-standing pattern of appropriating Bauhaus symbolism for political and cultural agendas. This finding underscores how the Bauhaus's legacy has been repeatedly adapted to serve diverse interests, often overshadowing its original critical and innovative ethos. The analysis draws from five books published in 2019, marking the Bauhaus centenary, which explore these appropriations through historical and cultural lenses. The research approach involves a close examination of reception processes that solidified Bauhaus myths post-1930s, contrasting them with contemporary historiographical knowledge. This perspective challenges the narrative that the New European Bauhaus is solely rooted in propagandistic appeal, instead positioning it within a broader tradition of Bauhaus symbolism.

Medina Warmburg, J. (2022). Re-reading Bauhaus Histories: Appropriations and Global Perspectives. Journal of Design History, 35(3), 300–306. https://doi.org/10.1093/jdh/epab050