Alumni-Gespräche
Theres Rohde, Direktorin des Museums für Konkrete Kunst in Ingolstadt, studierte von 2003 bis 2007 Medienkultur und war DFG-Stipendiatin am Graduiertenkolleg Mediale Historiographien an der Universität. Während ihres Studiums begann sie ehrenamtlich als Bauhaus-Guide zu arbeiten. Zudem verantwortete sie den Bauhaus-Shop. Sie promovierte 2015 mit der Dissertation »Die Bau-Ausstellung zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts oder Die Schwierigkeit zu wohnen«. » Weiterlesen
Đức Ngô Ngọc ist leidenschaftlicher Dokumentarfilmer, freischaffender Autor, Regisseur und Produzent. Er studierte Medienkunst/Mediengestaltung an der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar und Filmregie an der Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. Mit seinem Drehbuch »Ha-Neu / Berlin« gewann er gemeinsam mit Co-Autor Duc-Thi Bui 2025 die Goldene Lola. Im Alumni-Gespräch befinden wir uns im Auto von Halle-Neustadt nach Berlin. » Weiterlesen
Martin Kohlstedt gehört international zu den profiliertesten Komponisten, Pianisten und Produzenten im Spannungsfeld von Neo-Klassik, Elektronik und Improvisation. Seine Stücke sind offene Prozesse, bleiben im Konzert in Bewegung, entwickeln sich jeweils im Moment des künstlerischen Arbeitens. Bis 2014 studierte er Medienkunst/Mediengestaltung an der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, der er bis heute eng verbunden ist. Zudem engagiert er sich für nachhaltige Aufforstung im Thüringer Wald. 2026 veröffentlichte mit »Kluft« sein achtes Album. » Weiterlesen
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Stahr ist promovierter Bauingenieur und seit 2010 Professor für Tragwerkslehre an der HTWK Leipzig. Als Initiator des FLEX.projekts fördert er interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit an der Schnittstelle von Architektur, Ingenieurwesen und digitaler Fertigung. Für unser Alumni-Gespräch treffen wir ihn im HolzBauForschungsZentrum Leipzig (HBFZ), einer 1.100 Quadratmeter großen Forschungshalle im Leipziger Osten. Dort werden neue, individualisiert-automatisierte Fertigungskonzepte im Holzbau entwickelt und unter realen Bedingungen erprobt. » Weiterlesen
Dr Nathalie Jean-Baptiste
A bridge-builder between research and philanthropy | Dr Nathalie Jean-Baptiste embodies a visionary fusion of science and social engagement. A PhD graduate of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, she is now Deputy CEO and Head of Programmes at the Julius Bär Foundation. As an internationally recognised expert in urban infrastructure and social justice, she brings a pioneering perspective on sustainable innovation across continents. Her focus extends beyond traditional start-up narratives – placing people, inclusive systems and a clear, sustainable impact on the future at the centre. Nathalie Jean-Baptiste studied for a Master’s degree in European Urban Studies from 2005 to 2007. » Read more
Gesa Hansen
Designer Gesa Hansen is ranked among the world’s 100 most influential designers. As the founder of the furniture brand The Hansen Family in 2009, Gesa Hansen creates timeless pieces characterised by Scandinavian minimalism and emotional depth. She combines traditional craftsmanship with functional aesthetics and places a strong emphasis on tactile materials such as wood, leather and marble. After studying Visual Communication and Product Design from 2001 to 2005 in Weimar and at the NZU Nagoya University of Arts in Japan, she worked in various design studios in Tokyo and Paris. Her work has won several international awards. Gesa Hansen lives and works in Paris. » Read more
Mirko Muhshoff und Jano Kaltenbach experimentierten lange vor ihrem Studium der Medienkunst/Mediengestaltung im Medienbereich und entdeckten darin ihre Leidenschaft für »Irgendwas mit Medien«. Die begeisterten Filmemacher, Drehbuchautoren, Schauspieler und Regisseure verbindet viel mit Weimar, wovon sie auf einer Tour mit Anika Mätzke, die zusammen mit ihnen studierte und viele gemeinsame Projekte realisierte. Nun sind sie freie Filmemacher und haben sich einen lang gehegten Traum erfüllt, den Dreh einer eigenen Mockumentary-Serie, die 2024 für den Grimme-Preis nominiert wurde. » Weiterlesen
Alexander Döpel
In 2014, the two Visual Communication students Alexander Döpel and Robert Hellmundt hear for the first time that the incorrect use of disinfectants in everyday medical practice in Germany leads to an average of 900,000 hospital infections per year – of which 30,000 are fatal. The connection between the functionality of common disinfectants and this phenomenon is immediately clear to them: the colourlessness of the substance makes it difficult for the user to monitor its residual presence. It seems they literally have the solution on hand: disinfection must become visible.
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Bauhaus Agents Weimar
All three studied at the Faculty of Design and are now working in museum development at the Klassikstiftung Weimar. Maxie Götze, Valerie Stephani and Johannes Siebler are the Bauhaus Agents ensuring that no one gets bored while visiting the Bauhaus Museum or the Neues Museum. Whether in productive workshops with young people or as »blind-spot hunters« in the exhibitions, the three designers want the museum to be a place for everybody! In their talk, they discuss the challenges and successes of their work, declare their loyalty to the university cafeteria and share a little message for all students.
Alumni Special
In the Alumni Special series, we interviewed alumni about their situation during the Corona pandemic. They talk about their personal experiences and reflect on the opportunities and possibilities they see for themselves and society in this extraordinary situation. With Cornelia Erdmann – freelance artist in Hong Kong; Alexander Döpel – company founder in Jena; Cornelia Klube – civil engineer in New York; Grit Höhn – freelance artist in Jena; Katja Ganesh – graphic designer in Bangalore; Markus Dietrich – director and screenwriter in Weimar; and more to follow.
Olivia Vieweg
There are many names for Olivia Vieweg’s work: comic, graphic novel, Germanga to name a few. And yet, they actually all mean the same thing – telling stories with hand-drawn pictures. Her final project in the »Visual Communication« degree programme tells the story of two young women caught in a zombie apocalypse between Weimar and Jena. The comic became a screenplay, and the screenplay a film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been showing in cinemas since 2019. The idea for »Endzeit« came to Olivia while on a train ride between Weimar and Jena. We decide to return to this creative space for a conversation, to explore the success story of her comics, discuss Japanese influences and find out what really matters when it comes to drawing. The film adaptation of the same name has been showing in German cinemas since 22 August 2019.
Marc Jung
From professional wrestler in the second national league to Fine Arts alumnus: Marc Jung’s career path has been anything but linear. Over the course of his life, Erfurt-born Jung has moved to Jakarta, New York and Vienna; meanwhile, his mixed-media paintings adorn a full 36-metre interior wall of Facebook’s open-plan office in Berlin. He gives Paul Klee’s classic »Baldgreis« a complete makeover for us and talks in an interview about screwed-up art classes, recipes for success against self-doubt and his difficult early days at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
![[Translate to English:] Caspar Clemens Mierau](/fileadmin/_processed_/c/5/csm_ccm_d2895ddb62.webp)
Caspar Clemens Mierau
Born in Berlin, Caspar Clemens Mierau escaped the capital to consciously concentrate on his degree in Media Studies in Weimar until 2008. Today he is living in Berlin again. In addition to his job as Head of Development at Moviepilot.com, he writes articles for online magazines and, under the name »Leitmedium«, creates a buzz on the internet with blogs and podcasts. He has devised his personal dream seminar plan for us. In the talk, he shares anecdotes about how Media Studies has shaped him.
Achim Jedelsky
From Architecture to Business Administration, from Germany to Belgium and Great Britain via Sweden, from the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar to Daimler Real Estate. There, Achim Jedelsky manages the IT and process division; today he returns to Weimar after a long time to tell future alumni about career entry opportunities and his personal career path. In our interview, he talks about Ultimate Frisbee, the permeating smell of coal from times past, the upcoming »Innovator’s Dilemma« and his experiences with the university’s mentoring programme.
HP Grossmann
2016 is an anniversary: HP has been living in Weimar for twenty years! HP Grossmann started his studies in 1996, the year the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar got its current name. He was initially enrolled in the Faculty of Civil Engineering but soon switched to the Faculty of Design, which was in the process of being established. He set up his own studio in the former Weimar city gasworks and from this location has since been making his mark on Weimar’s cultural and art scene.
Stefan Kraus & Markus Heckmann
Media artists Stefan Kraus and Markus Heckmann met in Weimar and now design projects all over the world. Stefan Kraus studied Architecture at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and is Creative Director of the live event media production MXZEHN. Markus Heckmann was initially enrolled at the University of Ilmenau. Through Stefan Kraus, he got to know the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and transferred here. Today Markus Heckmann lives in Toronto, where he works as Technical Director for the company Derivative.
Anna Diermeier
Recycled carbon fibre as a link between working in the automotive industry and studying at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar? Anna Diermeier, who completed her degree in Product Design here in 2007 and now works as a Designer in the Colour&Trim team at the MINI BMW Group, reveals to us how this connection comes about. She also talks about her memories of studying in Weimar and how it prepared her for the work she does now.
Bettina Blümner
Director and screenwriter Bettina Blümner, winner of the German Film Award in 2008, took Media Studies and Design at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar from 1998 to 1999. She made two short films during this time, and experiences gleaned from her broad range of studies led her to pursue the field of »film«. Bettina Blümner discusses the projects, places and people she has grown very fond of in Weimar. She provides an insight into her current work and has some direct advice for budding filmmakers.
Laura Straßer
After her studies at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, ceramics and porcelain designer Laura Straßer has worked for numerous international clients. In addition to working for Kahla in Thuringia, the Frankfurt-born designer also develops products for her own labels »Ilmgold« and »frenchknicker«. For alumni discussion № 10, we were invited by Laura to her studio in Berlin. Over a cup of coffee, the product designer chatted about her studies, the changes brought about by the Bachelor and life between Berlin and Weimar...
Nazan Gökdemir
Arte and ZDF presenter Nazan Gökdemir completed her studies at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. In a reverse interview, she revealed to us the differences regarding studying at a French university and what you don’t get taught at the Bauhaus...
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Naomi Tereza Salmon
Whether as a former student, artist, staff member, lecturer or Ph.D. graduate, Ms. Salmon has accompanied the Bauhaus for over a decade. We discuss what the cosmopolitan still misses at the university, what her relationship to Weimar is like and what the difference between »Fine Arts« and »Media Art« actually is...
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Olaf Weber
In the 1960s he studied Architecture at the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Weimar, from 1993 he held an Aesthetics Professorship at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar; today, Professor Olaf Weber is emeritus. The slogan »I can’t see any more Bauhaus« is to be understood literally; Prof. Weber has been blind for several years. The discussion covers the topics of the new Bauhaus Museum, GDR architecture, the 42nd Congress of the Absurd, the second 42nd Congress of the Absurd, perceiving and appreciating architecture without being able to see, Prof. Weber’s current commitment to pacifism and the third 42nd Congress of the Absurd.
Jamal Al-Talawe
Throughout his life, Jamal Al-Talawe has lived in many different places. Born in the Gaza Strip, his path through life led him through Syria to the GDR and on to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, where he studied Civil Engineering from 1975 to 1979. Today he works as a civil engineer at the University Hospital Mannheim. He has written a book about the phases of his life, which he presented at the summaery 2016 alumni reunion. We asked him a few questions afterwards.
Der Illumat
Once a project of students for the 2007 walking tour, it is now run by a group of alumni, students and guests: The Illumat travels the city and its surroundings, delighting its guests with spontaneous illustrations on request. In this alumni discussion, the Illumat talks – or rather, draws – about its early days in Weimar.
Sie möchten sich selbst oder andere Alumni vorstellen und gern von Ihrer Zeit in Weimar und aus Ihrer Vita nach der Studienzeit berichten? Dann melden Sie sich bei uns! Wir freuen uns auf spannende Geschichten, besondere Wege und neue Perspektiven aus unserem Bauhaus-Netzwerk.
Gespräche zur Hochschulgeschichte
Diese Gesprächsreihe fokussiert auf die frühen 50er Jahre, auf Umbruchszeiten, auf die Zeit der Wende 1989/90 und die Jahre der Neuorientierung. Mit der politischen Wende setzte ein Prozess des Umbaus und der Orientierung auf die Erfordernisse einer weltoffenen Hochschule ein. Engagierte Persönlichkeiten der Hochschule in unterschiedlichsten Kontexten stellen sich den Fragen und vermitteln sehr eindrucksvoll von ihrem Wirken, von ihren mutigen Entscheidungen, die für die weitere Entwicklung der Hochschule bis hin zur heutigen Bauhaus-Universität Weimar sehr prägend waren. » Weiterlesen
Dipl.-Phil. Silvia Riedel
Alumni Office