Lucia Moholy’s pictures still go around the world today – with her photographs of the Bauhaus buildings, the photographer and publicist (1894-1989) left a lasting mark on the image of the art school. As László Moholy-Nagy’s wife, she lived with him at the Bauhaus and did important work for numerous Bauhaus artists and the institution itself. She was instrumental in bringing the artistic ideas and content of the academy to the public. The exhibition is dedicated to the artist’s oeuvre as a whole: in addition to factual photographs of workshop work and portrait series of Bauhaus teachers and friends, the photographs of the Bauhaus buildings in Dessau are among the focal points of her work. Her approach was revolutionary – photography and painting were of equal value to her and her architectural photographs became constructivist images.
Fig. above: Lucia Moholy Bauhaus Building Dessau (1925-1926), view from the northeast, postcard K Collection, courtesy Galerie Derda Berlin © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022
Lucia Moholy is one of the most important photographers of modernism. Although she was not employed at the Bauhaus, her photos played a significant role in making the Bauhaus known and famous. She was not simply a documentarian, but helped to shape the image of the school and modernism with her own style. Only the high quality of her photographs, which is due to Moholy’s adept handling of the technical aspects of photography, made possible the unprecedented marketing of the Bauhaus idea as a social and above all aesthetic movement.
The fact that Lucia Moholy is hardly known today is due to a complex web of political and social circumstances. Since Walter Gropius did not hire her and did not pay her, she was never officially at the Bauhaus and could easily be “overlooked”. In contemporary publications, her photographs were sometimes published with her name, sometimes without. After the closure of the Bauhaus, she was almost universally unnamed. Gropius in particular played a very inglorious role in this, the effects of which can still be felt today. In addition, the joint artistic and theoretical work of the Moholy-Nagy couple was attributed solely to László after they separated. When Lucia Moholy then had to flee Germany after the National Socialists came to power, a tragedy took its course that made one of the best female photographers of German modernism almost invisible for a long time.
In the exhibition at the Bröhan Museum, which shows around 100 photos from private and public lenders as well as selected objects from the Bauhaus period, Lucia Moholy will emerge as an artist in her own right. Special attention will be paid to her time in Berlin.
Media partners: Wall GmbH, rbb Kultur, Dinamix, tip, Exberliner
Funded by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin as part of the Berlin programme for the Triennale der Moderne, 2022. www.triennale-der-moderne.de
Carl Jakob Jucker um 1924 Private collection, Netherlands, courtesy Galerie Derda Berlin
© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022
PROGRAMME FOR THE EXHIBITION
Free guided tours
There is a free guided tour of the exhibition every Saturday at 3 pm (plus admission). Without registration. Limited number of participants.
Additional dates: Sun, 2.10.2022, 1 and 4 pm
Including guided tours in German and German Sign Language
On every second Saturday of the month, 3 p.m., there is a free guided tour in German and in German Sign Language (plus admission).
Additional date: Mon, 3.10.2022, 3 pm
Curator’s tour
There will be a live tour on Instagram @broehan-museum on Thu 29 Sep, 6pm.
Sun, 20.11., 4 pm. The guided tour is free of charge (plus admission).
Photo studio
The open photo studio in the exhibition rooms invites visitors to join in.
Discovery booklet
The discovery booklet for children (6-12 years) accompanies them on their tour of the exhibition. Free copy available at the museum ticket office.
Programme for school classes
We offer programmes for school classes as part of the exhibition. More info at www.broehan-museum.de/vermittlung
Autumn holidays at the Bröhan Museum
24-26.10.2022, 10-15, from 8-12 years Booking at www.jugend-im-museum.de
Family Sunday
Every 3rd Sunday of the month, from 11-12:30. Limited number of participants. Registration required at: n.mueller@broehan-museum.de
Digitaler Guide
As a mediation tool, our free digital guide provides information and background on the exhibition. Further information at guide.broehan-museum.de
Threesome
One of our art experts will guide you and your companion exclusively through the exhibition.
1 h, 55,- € (Tue-Fri), 70,- € (Sat/Sun/Holiday), plus admission. Booking at info@broehan-museum.de or 030/32690600
Bröhan Late
After the museum closes, at 6pm, one of our art experts will guide you and up to 19 accompanying persons through the exhibition. Price: 200,- € (Tue-Fri), 250,- € (Sat/Sun/Holiday). Booking at info@broehan-museum.de or 030/32690600
Current information on the accompanying programme as well as digital offers at www.broehan-museum.de
Curators of the exhibition: Thomas Derda, Dr Tobias Hoffmann, Fabian Reifferscheidt M.A.
Exhibition design: Katleen Arthen
Press and Public Relations: Corinna Kleis M.A.
Education and outreach: Nils Martin Müller M.A.
Assistant Press and Public Relations/Education and Mediation: Alexandra Koronkai-Kiss M.A.
Opening hours: Tue to Sun from 10 am to 6 pm and all public holidays
Admission: 8,- €, reduced 5,- €.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.broehan-museum.de/service or on site.
The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue with 176 pages and numerous illustrations published by Wienand Verlag, price: €26 at the museum box office.
Enquiries, also regarding further information and picture material, please contact Corinna Kleis, e-mail: pr@broehan-museum.de
WHEN?
Ausstellungsdaten: Samstag 1 Oktober – Sonntag 22 Januar
COSTS?
Admission: 8,- €, reduced 5,- €.
WHERE?
Bröhan-Museum
Schlossstraße 1a
14059 Berlin-Charlottenburg
