Erum Jaffrey
Arts Editor
Walking into Harris Gallery’s latest exhibit, “Nowhaus: Domestic Objects in Modernist Tradition,” viewers are immersed into a mix of historical and modern art.
Featuring pieces from the early 20th century Bauhaus movement and post-World War II mid-century modern time period, “Nowhaus” brings history to the now, hence the name.
Founded in 1919 in Weimar, Germany, the Bauhaus style incorporates all forms of design, from sculptures and paintings to textiles and architecture into an artwork. The functionality of this art movement is what influenced many American mid-century artists.
“The Bauhaus combined honors architects, designers, and graphic artists,” gallery director Dion Johnson said.
“Nowhaus” was co-curated by Dion Johnson and art history professor Jon Leaver. It displays the works of artists Marcel Breuer, Greta Grossman, Carol Young, Ben Medansky, Gae Aulenti and more. Their distinct aesthetics differ from time periods, yet work together to create a cohesive collection of articulate pieces.
Upon entrance of the exhibit, viewers are greeted by a tall, bright green bilateral stacked geometric wall, created by artist Jim Isermann.
Adjacent to the wall are two Bauhaus-specific pieces, including a nickel-plated, tubular steel and leather “Wassily” chair (1925) by Marcel Breuer, and a Jahrhundertausstellung poster, displaying a “Draft Score to a Mechanical Eccentricity” (1924), by László Moholy-Nagy.
Modern pieces include a black “Twisted Berlin Jumpsuit” (2015) by Carol Young and glazed stoneware “Laika Vessels” (2014) by Ben Medansky.
“I like the stone vessels and how the different shading and colors fit together,” sophomore political science major, Benjamin Deuson, said.
“Side Chair, DSR Model,” by Charles and Ray Eames is an olive green chair made with injection-molded polypropylene, with a chrome-plated steel base. Though created in the 1950s, its form resembles furniture ahead of its time.
“I am amazed by the dates of the pieces, like how some are from the 30s, 40s and 50s but look like you can buy them from IKEA today,” senior biology major and art minor Candace Garlow said.
In this exhibit, you see contemporary objects by artists like Frank Gehry, who designed the Disney Concert Hall and a lamp by Italian architect Gae Aulenti who designed the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
Each corner of the exhibit displays a different object that may be found in the home, such as “Toaster” (2004) by Jasper Morrison and “Stacking Dinnerware” (1964) by Massimo and Lella Vignelli.
Many of these pieces are very recent, but still hold the idea of domestic objects and architecture being traced back to Bauhaus, Johnson said.
“Post-World War designers were figuring out mass-production means of producing in these really playful forms and sort of optimistic and idealized ways of having art design in the everyday home,” Johnson said. “They really pose this utopian vision of color and geometry becoming a part of our living room and our dining room and I think that’s a revolutionary way of thinking and influences people today.”
The Harris Gallery provides each viewer with an opportunity to interpret and experience art in his or her own way.
“It’s important to recognize how art, fine art, design and architecture is a part of everyday environment – our visual experience,” Johnson said.
“Nowhaus: Domestic Objects in Modernist Tradition” runs through March 5. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Erum Jaffrey can be reached at erum.jaffrey@laverne.edu.
