Origins and Premises of Creation
The German "Werkbund" is an association that connects art and industry, founded in Germany in 1907. This creative alliance included artists, architects, entrepreneurs, and sociologists. The main goal of this organization was to bridge the existing gap between creative projects and industrially manufactured products.
"Werkbund was the first organization to systematically address the integration of art and mass production" - Peter Behrens, one of the movement's founders.
The decline of architecture and applied decorative arts in the mid-19th century turned into a major crisis of artificial production by the 1890s. Germany became the epicenter of a revival in craftsmanship, architecture, and industry, driven by its rapid technological progress.
Philosophy and Principles
Unlike William Morris, "Werkbund" not only did not exclude technology from the artistic sphere but saw its mission in uniting creators and industrialists, believing that this was the only way to counter low-quality mass production. The transition to innovative forms that matched the spirit of the time was eagerly awaited not only by artists and builders but also by the general public.
Key Principles of Werkbund:
- Unity of art and technology
- Standardization as a path to quality
- Functionality as the basis of aesthetics
- Accessibility of high-quality design for the masses
These principles laid the foundation for modern industrial design and remain relevant for manufacturers and designers worldwide.
Foundation and Development
On October 7, 1907, a historic meeting took place in Munich, announcing the creation of the German "Werkbund" (Deutscher Werkbund). The union was founded by a committee consisting of twelve artists (architects and decorative arts specialists) and twelve companies producing artistic products.
"Quality is not a luxury but a necessity for industrial production" - Hermann Muthesius, Werkbund's ideologist.
The Cologne Exhibition of 1914
In 1914, "Werkbund" organized a large-scale exhibition in Cologne. It was located outside the city and occupied a vast area. Visitors were presented with various pavilions that served both as exhibition spaces and exhibits in their own right, as well as architectural ensembles. Some of the most significant exhibits included:
- The Glass Pavilion by Bruno Taut
- The Model Factory by Walter Gropius
- Theater by Henry van de Velde
These innovative structures demonstrated to the world the possibilities of combining industrial technologies with artistic principles, becoming benchmarks for future generations of architects.
Postwar Period and Legacy
After the conflict, devastated Germany found itself in a critical economic situation. This inevitably affected the status of "Werkbund." In 1919, Walter Gropius merged the Grand Ducal Academy of Fine Arts in Weimar and the Grand Ducal School of Decorative Arts into the Bauhaus State School—an institute of architecture, fine arts, and applied decorative arts.
This institute had a tremendous impact on the subsequent development of art in Europe. "Werkbund" significantly influenced the further progress of architecture. In 1933, "Werkbund" was dissolved by the National Socialists, but its ideas continued to live on through the works of its followers.
Influence on Modern Design
The principles laid down by Werkbund remain relevant in modern industrial design:
- Functionality as the basis of aesthetics
- The importance of quality in mass production
- Integration of art and technology
These fundamental principles of Werkbund became the foundation of modern industrial design and continue to shape the evolution of the material environment in the 21st century.