Between 1919 and 1933, numerous buildings were built in Bavaria that are considered icons of classical modernism. An exhibition in the New History Floor in Vatersdorf presents these buildings and also ways in which sustainable building can be successful.
In the history of architecture, 20th-century Bavaria stands for an extraordinary balance of tradition and avant-garde. Numerous buildings were erected here between 1919 and 1933, which are considered icons of classical modernism. The New History Floor in Vatersdorf near Landshut is currently showing this magnificent architecture in an exhibition with large-format black and white photos by the photographer Jean Molitor.
All important building tasks of that time are reflected in outstanding buildings, in social housing as well as in sacred buildings, but also in residential and industrial buildings. The new functions demanded new architectural thinking. Names such as Richard Riemerschmid, Robert Vorhoelzer, Hans Döllgast and Fritz Landauer stand for this awakening.
After the war, Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius erected two industrial buildings in Selb and Amberg – incunabula of modern architecture. Protagonists such as the Munich architect Sep Ruf drew on international modernism with their designs. The exhibition in Vatersdorf shows impressively how good construction improves living and working spaces. Next Saturday, an event accompanying the exhibition will also deal with the question of how monuments can be filled with new life. Sabine Weigand, member of the state parliament and also a member of the state monument council, will answer questions from the audience. Bernhard Averbeck-Kellner, Managing Director of the “Bavarian Cultural Heritage” foundation, which wants to preserve old cultural assets for the future, is also present. The architect Markus Stenger, who restored a medieval craftsman’s house in Landshut and filled it with new life, is also there. The public discussion will be led by Stefanje Weinmayr, the curator of the Neues Geschichtsboden.
A curator’s tour by Kaija Voss will be offered in Vatersdorf on Saturday at 11 a.m. This is followed by lunch (12.30 p.m.) in the historic dining room of the equestrian farm, the headquarters of the Leipfinger-Bader brickworks, in which the New History Floor is located. The events can also be attended individually after registration. On June 1 (7.30 p.m.) the architectural historian Ira Mazzoni will give a lecture on the topic “Gropius builds for Rosenthal (myth, marketing, history)”. The exhibition “Bavaria – Built Modernity” runs until June 6 (Sat/Sun 2-6 p.m.; registration, special opening times and other events on the homepage geschichtsboden.de).