Exhibition: »Wayfarers of Modernism: Magda Langenstraß-Uhlig and Ella Bergmann-Michel«
Since October 3rd, 2020, a special exhibition at the Bauhaus-Museum Weimar has been highlighting two female wayfarers of the avant-garde, both of whom began their artistic careers in Weimar. The artists Magda Langenstraß-Uhlig (1888 – 1965) and Ella Bergmann-Michel (1895 – 1971) received their formative education at the Grand Ducal Saxon Art School, and later both enrolled at the Bauhaus for a time.
Magda Langenstraß-Uhlig sketched works at various military hospitals where her husband worked as a doctor during World War I. After the war, she maintained close ties to the Berlin art gallery »Der Sturm« where her works were exhibited alongside Kurt Schwitters’. From 1924 to 1926, the single mother studied at the Bauhaus in Weimar and Dessau. Although her earlier works were mostly expressionistic, she began to focus more intensively on abstract art in the following years.
Influenced by Dadaism, futurism, surrealism and the Bauhaus, Ella Bergmann-Michel established herself as a filmmaker in the 1930s. In addition to her impressive photo collages, she produced five documentary films which explored the social aspects of the »New Frankfurt«.
The promising careers of both artists skidded to a halt in 1932/1933 when their artworks were either banned or vilified as »degenerate«. In later years, they both struggled to rekindle their past success and continue developing their work. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the oeuvres of Magda Langenstraß-Uhlig and Ella Bergmann-Michel were gradually rediscovered and presented to a broader audience.
Until January 4th, 2021, this exhibition presents approximately 40 works by Magda Langenstraß-Uhlig and Ella Bergmann-Michel in various media, including film, photography, painting, graphic arts and Collage.
Panel Discussion: »Bauhaus-Frauen — Eine ›Klasse für sich‹?«
As part of the supporting programme of the exhibition »Weggefährtinnen der Moderne«, a panel discussion on the topic »Bauhaus-Frauen — Eine ›Klasse für sich‹?« will take place on 16 December 2020 at 6 pm. In addition to Bauhaus-Universität Weimar instructors and students, Prof. Nathalie Singer, Chair of Experimental Radio and former Vice-President, and Tina Meinhardt, Equal Opportunity Officer, are taking part in the debate.
Entrance is free.
»Weggefährtinnen der Moderne: Magda Langenstrass-Uhlig and Ella Bergmann-Michel«
From 3 October 2020 to 4 January 2021
Bauhaus-Museum Weimar
Stéphane-Hessel-Platz 1 | 99423 Weimar
Mon, Wed – Sun 9.30 – 6 pm
»Bauhaus-Frauen — Eine ›Klasse für sich‹?«
Panel discussion with lecturers, staff and students of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
16 Dezember | 6pm | Bauhaus-Museum Weimar, lower floor