How did a 20th Century German art school that existed for only fourteen years become a pioneering centre for art and design?

An illustrated talk at The Leeds Library

Why are modern chairs made from steel tubing? What makes road signs so easy to read? And what links twentieth-century textiles, furniture, ceramics and typography?

The answers to these questions lead back to an extraordinary school of art and design.

Founded in Germany in 1919, the Bauhaus existed for just fourteen years, yet its ideas transformed the design of everyday life. From elegant furniture and striking textiles to modern interiors, graphic design and household objects. The Bauhaus school challenged traditional ideas about art and crafts, by showing that good design could be beautiful, practical and mass produced. This illustrated talk tells the fascinating story of the artists, architects and designers at the Bauhaus. Along the way, we will discover how their ideas continue to influence the buildings we inhabit, the furniture we use and the objects we encounter every day.

Special attention will be given to the pioneering textile workshop at the Bauhaus, drawing connections with Leeds' own rich textile heritage.

Accessible, engaging and full of surprising stories, this talk is designed for anyone with an interest in history, art, literature, design or simply the world around them. No prior knowledge of the Bauhaus is needed, only your curiosity

Dr Melanie Chan was a Senior Lecturer in Media, Communication, Cultures at Leeds Beckett University. She has published Digital Reality: The Body and Digital Technologies (Bloomsbury, 2020) and Virtual Reality: Representations in Contemporary Media (Bloomsbury, 2014) alongside other book chapters and journal articles. After completing an MA in Creative Writing with Teesside University, she has written creative non-fiction on her substack https://melanieangelinechan.substack.com/.

The Leeds Library is one of Leeds' oldest institutions, founded in 1768 and moving to its current home in 1808. We have long been a hub of learning and community in the heart of Leeds. Our main entrance into our foyer, with stairs up to the main library room, is located between Co-op and Ann Summers, and our accessible entrance with elevator is between Ann Summers and Bird and Blend. This event will be held in our Events Space on the first floor, adjacent to the main library room.

Contact the host of Bauhaus: The Pioneering German Art and Design School