The Bauhaus Project Review – The History of the Bauhaus

Penned by Tom Jacobson, THE BAUHAUS PROJECT recounts the story of the Bauhaus, the famed German art school which blended art with utility to develop the foundation of modernism in the world, then and now. Divided into two parts, THE BAUHAUS PROJECT makes its world premiere in 2024 as part of “Reflections on Art and Democracy,” a city-wide Los Angeles program developed to raise awareness about the current rise of fascism and antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world, the power of art and design to resist them, and the confluence of visual and performative artworks to promote democracy. To further the goals of the important program, the Open Fist Theatre Company proudly presents Jacobson’s two plays at the Atwater Village Theatre.

John C. Sweet and Sang Kim – Photo by Francisco Hermosillo III

Part I discusses the founding and early history of the famous art school in Weimer, Germany, from 1919 until 1925, while Part II tells the later history of the Bauhaus from its move to Dessau in 1925 and finally to Berlin in 1932– and then its dissolution in 1933. To quote director Martha Demson, “The framing device is a play within a play in which modern-day art school students trace the historical narrative of the Bauhaus, a groundbreaking art school committed to ‘marrying beauty with utility’ that was closed by the Nazis in 1933. Meanwhile, the production design will emphasize the enormous influence of the Bauhaus and the exhilaration of cross-disciplinary collaboration.” From the Bauhaus rose multiple titans in the arts, including Walter Gropius, architect and founding director of the Bauhaus; Wassily Kandinsky, Russian painter and Bauhaus Master; Paul Klee, Swiss-German artist and Bauhaus Master; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, German architect and last director of the Bauhaus; Marcel Breuer, Hungarian architect, furniture designer, and Bauhaus Master; Alma Mahler , widow of Gustav Mahler and wife of Walter Gropius; Arnold Schonberg, Austrian composer – and many more too numerous to mention.

John C. Sweet, Katarina Joy Lopez, and Jack Goldwait – Photo by Francisco Hermosillo III

The complex tale opens with a group of modern-day but marginal students who find themselves enrolled in a course which they believe will be useless to their goals, a course about the history of the Bauhaus. Ellis (Katarina Joy Lopez), Owen (Jack Goldwait), Duck (Sang Kim), Brec (Chloe Madriaga), Kai (John C. Sweet), and Swing (Davis Leonard) may be surprised by what they learn about the famed art studio and its multiple contributions to modern culture in too many fields to count, including architecture, iron-working, textiles, music, art, furniture, and practically everything which we take for granted today.

Sang Kim, John C. Sweet, Katarina Joy Lopez, and Chloe Madriaga – Photo by Francisco Hermosillo III

Director Martha Demson helms the production with an obvious reverence for the iconic artists/craftsmen associated with the Bauhaus, as well as their contributions to the world. The cast deftly take on the roles of many actual participants in Bauhaus history (including many of the above list). The creative team works hard to make the large performing space accommodating and adaptable to the years involved, with the team composed of scenic designer Richard Hoover, lighting designer Gavan Wyrick, composer and sound designer Tim Labor, projections designer Gabrieal Griego, and costume designer Michael Mullen, to name a few. THE BAUHAUS PROJECT is made possible in part with support from the California Arts Council and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.

Sang Kim and Katarino Joy Lopez – PHoto by Francisco Hermosillo III

THE BAUHAUS PROJECT attempts – within the time constraints of two separate but chronologically-linked plays – to offer an accurate picture of the history, challenges, and accomplishments achieved by the Bauhaus. In some respects, it plays like a documentary which the author has framed with fictional modern characters, a play within a play. The end result will definitely appeal to audiences interested in historical events – especially those related to art, culture, and the pre-Nazi/early Nazi era.

Chloe Madriaga and Sang Kim – Photo by Francisco Hermosillo III

THE BAUHAUS PROJECT runs through August 25, 2024, with Part I performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and at 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Part 2 performances are at 8 p.m. on Saturdays and at 4 p.m. on Sundays. The history is sequential, so it is not advised to view the parts out of order. The Open Fist Theatre Company performs at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039. Tickets are $40 for a combination ticket for Part I and Part 2 and individual tickets to Part 1 or Part 2 for $35. Students receive $5 off either price. For information and reservations, call 323-882-8912 or go online.