László Moholy-Nagy: From Material to Architecture

The foundational curriculum of the Bauhaus as outlined by one of its foremost theorists Hungarian painter and photographer László Moholy-Nagy (1895–1946) was one of the Bauhaus’ most esteemed faculty members as co-teacher of the school’s foundational course and the director of the metalworking studio. This 1929 text explores the educational ethos that informed Moholy-Nagy’s personal teaching approach as well as the Bauhaus school on the whole: “Jedermann ist begabt” (everyone is talented). This publication focuses on the foundational course developed by Moholy-Nagy, a curriculum built on structure, texture and organization, with observational exercises for students that emphasize tactility. It also touches upon Moholy-Nagy’s interest in photographic technology and its effects on human perception. As the final volume in the publisher’s Bauhausbücher series, Lars Müller has released a facsimile edition of Moholy-Nagy’s text translated into English with the original design and typography.