American Bauhaus: A Tribute to the Legacy of Black Mountain College

Unveiling the History and Creativity of Black Mountain College
American Bauhaus celebrates the extraordinary legacy of Black Mountain College, a haven for creativity and freedom that thrived from 1933 to 1957. The college became a new home for many World War II refugees from Europe, allowing the Bauhaus movement to continue in the United States. Renowned as a hub of artistic innovation, Black Mountain College shaped some of the most influential artists of the 20th century, including Willem de Kooning, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Buckminster Fuller, Franz Kline, and Robert Rauschenberg.

The Inspiration Behind American Bauhaus

The book is rooted in a 1992 Black Mountain College reunion in San Francisco, attended by Erik Schmitt, Partner and Creative Director at studio1500. Schmitt, whose two aunts and family friend Ruth Asawa were alumni, meticulously documented the event through notes and photographs, including moments from a cocktail party at Asawa’s home. These memories serve as the foundation of American Bauhaus.

A Unique Design that Mirrors the Spirit of the Bauhaus

Each page of American Bauhaus is crafted to evoke the interplay of conversations from that day:

• Quotes as Art: Each quote from the reunion is given its own page, accompanied by the time it was spoken. Fragments of these quotes are magnified and extend across pages, reflecting the dynamic flow of dialogue.
• Visual Storytelling: The book blends typography and design to channel the minimalist yet profound ethos of the Bauhaus movement.

A Name Inspired by Legacy

The title American Bauhaus draws from a remark by Peter Oberlander, who recalled Josef Albers describing Black Mountain College as “a minimal version of the Bauhaus … Go there.” This sentiment underscores the profound influence of the college as a bridge between European modernism and American artistic innovation.

Explore the Timeless Impact of Black Mountain College

American Bauhaus offers a deeply personal and visually stunning tribute to a unique institution that forever changed the course of modern art and education.

Order your copy of American Bauhaus today and experience the enduring legacy of this extraordinary creative space!