Origins and Prerequisites for Creation
The German "Werkbund" is an alliance that bridges art and industry, established in Germany in 1907. This creative coalition brought together artists, architects, entrepreneurs, and sociologists. The primary goal of this association was to bridge the existing gap between the designs of creators and the products of industrial production.
"The 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 decorative applied arts in the mid-19th century had, by the 1890s, escalated into a widespread crisis across the entire sphere of industrial production. Germany became the epicenter of a revival in craftsmanship, architecture, and industry, driven by its rapid technological progress.
Philosophy and Principles
Unlike William Morris, the Werkbund not only embraced technology within the art sphere but saw its mission in uniting creators and industrialists, believing this to be the only way to counter low-quality mass-produced goods. The transition to innovative forms that aligned with the spirit of the times was eagerly anticipated not only by artists and builders but also by the broader public.
Core Principles of the Werkbund:
- Unity of art and technology
- Standardization as a path to quality
- Functionality as the basis of aesthetics
- Accessibility of quality design to the masses
These principles laid the foundation for modern industrial design and remain relevant for manufacturers and designers worldwide.
Creation and Development
On October 7, 1907, a historic meeting in Munich announced the establishment of the German Werkbund (Deutscher Werkbund). The alliance was founded by a committee comprising twelve artists (architects and decorative applied arts specialists) and twelve companies producing artistic goods.
"Quality is not a luxury but a necessity for industrial production" — Hermann Muthesius, ideologue of the Werkbund.
Cologne Exhibition of 1914
In 1914, the Werkbund organized a large-scale exhibition in Cologne. Located outside the city, it covered a vast area. Visitors were presented with various pavilions that served both as spaces for displaying exhibits and as exhibits themselves, alongside architectural ensembles. Among the most significant exhibits were:
- Bruno Taut’s Glass Pavilion
- Walter Gropius’s Model Factory
- Henry van de Velde’s Theater
These innovative structures showcased the world the possibilities of combining industrial technologies with artistic principles, becoming models for future generations of architects.
Post-War Period and Legacy
After the conflict, a devastated Germany found itself in a critical economic situation, inevitably affecting the Werkbund’s status. In 1919, Walter Gropius merged the Grand Ducal Academy of Fine Arts in Weimar and the Grand Ducal School of Decorative Crafts into the unified State School Bauhaus — an institute of architecture, fine, and decorative applied arts, which continued to develop the Werkbund’s ideas under new conditions.
This institute had a profound influence on the subsequent development of art in Europe. The Werkbund significantly shaped the progress of architecture. In 1933, the Werkbund was dissolved by the National Socialists, but its ideas lived on in the works of its followers.
Influence on Modern Design
The principles established by the 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 the Werkbund formed the basis of modern industrial design and continue to shape the development of the material environment in the 21st century. Today, the ideas of uniting functionality and aesthetics are embodied in modern construction technologies, where innovative materials and construction methods create not only practical but also visually appealing architectural solutions.
