Curated by Jane O’Neill with Simon Lawrie, Haus Werk formed part of the official 100jahrebauhaus program of events that celebrated the centenary of the Bauhaus in 2019. Including Australian and international contemporary artists and performers, Haus Werk affirmed the relevance of methods first grounded in the Bauhaus, and explored the way these concepts have new applications across different locations and times. Echoing the expansive educational agenda of the Bauhaus, the project incorporated exhibitions, architecture, a library resource, an education program and a catalogue.

The title refers to the way our understanding of the Bauhaus has become entwined with domestic space, with particular emphasis on the influence of the female artists who were relegated to the weaving workshop. Acknowledging the production of artwork as both a form of labour and a kind of play, the project encouraged a fluid understanding of these states of production, as outlined by Bauhaus master Johannes Itten in 1919: ‘Play becomes celebration; celebration becomes work; work becomes play.Our play should become work; our work, a celebration; and our celebration, play.I regard this as the supreme excellence of the human tasks .’ [‘our play, our party, our work’ was the title given by Johannes Itten to his lecture of 1919]

The project featured an even allocation of Australian and international participants to increase dialogue and strengthen networks in the fields of art and design. In doing so, the project opens for consideration the differing contexts of influence. Many of the international artists had never exhibited in Australia before.

Images: Haus Werk: The Bauhaus in contemporary art, installation views, McClelland. Photos Christian Capurro.