BAUHAUS NOW!

26 July - 20 October 2019
In the year of its centenary the Bauhaus returned to haunt our museums. How do contemporary artists re-imagine a relationship to this legendary school? Are they scavengers raiding the ruins of modernism, appropriators of ‘good design’ kitsch or acolytes of an unholy sect? Bauhaus Now! explored its legacy in Australia—both for contemporary artists and for art education—highlighting its visionary, collectivist ideals and its radical practices.
Mondspiel, the ground-floor installation by Mikala Dwyer and Justene Williams, was part resurrection and part zombie dance. The first-floor gallery displayed rare Bauhaus archival material from the two former Bauhaus students exiled to Australia, Gertrude Herzger-Seligmann and Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack.
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Reconstructions by kinetic artists Michael Candy and Christopher Handran demonstrated the celebrated Bauhaus experiments with colour and light, in Hirschfeld-Mack’s Farbenlichtspiele, (Colour-Light Play) and Moholy-Nagy’s Light Space Modulator.

The Bauhaus Weaving of Elizabeth Pulie and Rose Nolan’s constructions were both made from the cast-off litter of domestic life. Other artists in this exhibition channelled colour theory, like Peter D Cole’s miniature multiples, Jacky Redgate’s experiments with colour, light and photography, and Shane Haseman’s performance Triadic Dance of the Secondaries. Students across art, design and architecture schools collaborated in a parade and exhibit a series of abstract toys.

Artists
Mikala Dwyer & Justene Williams
Gertrude Herzger-Seligmann
Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack
Paul Klee
Michael Candy
Peter D Cole
Christopher Handran
Shane Haseman
Rose Nolan
Elizabeth Pulie

Jacky Redgate

Curated by Ann Stephen.

PAST EVENTS

Dylan Martorell Performance

Dylan Martorell Performance

Dylan Martorell Performance

Dylan Martorell Performance

In Conversation: Mikala Dwyer, Justene Williams and Olaf Nicolai

In Conversation: Mikala Dwyer, Justene Williams and Olaf Nicolai

Triadic dance of the secondaries, Performance

Triadic dance of the secondaries, Performance

Bauhaus Now! Film Program

Bauhaus Now! Film Program

BAUHAUS NOW!

BAUHAUS NOW!

‘Surpassing Modernity’ by Professor Andrew McNamara: Public Lecture

‘Surpassing Modernity’ by Professor Andrew McNamara: Public Lecture

Gallery

A video projection above a herbarium under lights

Installation view, Mondspiel (Moon play) 2019 (detail), Mikala Dwyer and Justene Williams, Buxton Contemporary, The University of Melbourne, 26 July – 20 October 2019 mixed-media installation Courtesy of the artist, Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne; Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney; Sarah Cottier Gallery, Sydney © the artists photography Christian Capurro

A series of artworks on a gallery wall

Installation view, Bauhaus Now!, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne 26 July – 20 October 2019, photography Christian Capurro

A colourful kite on a wall in a gallery

Installation view, Mondspiel (Moon play) 2019 (detail), Mikala Dwyer and Justene Williams, Buxton Contemporary, The University of Melbourne, 26 July – 20 October 2019 mixed-media installation Courtesy of the artist, Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne; Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney; Sarah Cottier Gallery, Sydney © the artists photography Christian Capurro

Gallery entrance with colourful artwork of a person made of mixed media

Installation view, Bauhaus Now!, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne 26 July – 20 October 2019, photography Christian Capurro

Close shot of sculpture

Installation view, Mondspiel (Moon play) 2019 (detail), Mikala Dwyer and Justene Williams, Buxton Contemporary, The University of Melbourne, 26 July – 20 October 2019 mixed-media installation Courtesy of the artist, Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne; Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney; Sarah Cottier Gallery, Sydney © the artists photography Christian Capurro

A series of artworks on a gallery wall

Installation view, Bauhaus Now!, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne 26 July – 20 October 2019, with Peter D. Cole, Elemental landscape 2009-19 (detail), photography Christian Capurro

A series of artworks on a gallery wall

Installation view, Bauhaus Now!, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne with Jacky Redgate L-R: Light throw (mirrors) fold – red and white, 2019; Light throw (mirrors) fold – yellow and white, 2018; Light throw (mirrors) fold – blue and white, 2019; Light throw (mirrors) – black and white 2019, Courtesy of the artist, Arc One Gallery, Melbourne ©️ the artists, photography Christian Capurro⁣

Scupltures and artworks in a gallery

Installation view, Bauhaus Now!, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne 26 July – 20 October 2019, photography Christian Capurro

A series of small sculptures on four tables

Installation view, Bauhaus Now!, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne 26 July – 20 October 2019, with works by Rose Nolan, courtesy of the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne; photography Christian Capurro

A series of artworks on a gallery wall

Installation view, Bauhaus Now!, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne 26 July – 20 October 2019, photography Christian Capurro

A series of colourful kite sculptures

Installation view, Bauhaus Now!, lanterns made by students from the VCA and RMIT, Buxton Contemporary, The University of Melbourne, 26 July – 20 October 2019 mixed-media installation © the artists photography Christian Capurro

A mound of dirt with flowers growing under lights

Installation view, Mondspiel (Moon play) 2019 (detail), Mikala Dwyer and Justene Williams, Buxton Contemporary, The University of Melbourne, 26 July – 20 October 2019 mixed-media installation Courtesy of the artist, Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne; Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney; Sarah Cottier Gallery, Sydney © the artists photography Christian Capurro

Exhibition Catalogue

The Bauhaus Now! catalogue accompanies the Buxton Contemporary exhibition of the same name, marking the centenary of the Bauhaus, arguably the most important, and certainly the best-known, art and design school of the 20th century.

Contributors include Susan Best and Ann Stephen. Foreward by Ryan Johnston.

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ACCESS

ARTWORK LABELS

Download exhibition artwork labels to suit your viewing needs.

SUPPORTERS

Centre of visual art, The university of Sydney, Australian Council – Australian Research Council, Australian Council for the Arts, Goethe Institut, Four Pillars, Dody Oliver

Image credit: Installation view, Mondspiel (Moon play) 2019 (detail), Mikala Dwyer and Justene Williams, Buxton Contemporary, The University of Melbourne, 26 July – 20 October 2019 mixed-media installation Courtesy of the artist, Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne; Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney; Sarah Cottier Gallery, Sydney. Photography by Christian Capurro.

Buxton Contemporary acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work, learn and create, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples, and the wider Kulin Nations. We acknowledge their continuing care for Country and recognise that Australia’s First Peoples art and cultural practices have thrived here for millenia.