A Way to Modernity. The Werkbund Estates 1927-1932
Opening exhibition: 31 March 2016, 6 p.m.
Date and time: exhibition open from 31 March to 5 June 2016
Venue: Museum of Architecture in Wrocław, address: Bernardyńska 5, Wrocław
Admission: paid
More details at: www.ma.wroc.pl
Using the example of 6 experimental housing estates of Werkbund, the exhibition illustrates the efforts undertaken by architects seeking a new form for houses and their furnishings, matching the needs of the changing world in the first half of the 20th century.
A Way to Modernity. The Werkbund Estates 1927-1932 is an exhibition specially prepared for the year 2016 when Wrocław is the European Capital of Culture. The experimental Werkbund estates, erected in Europe in the years 1927-1932, exerted a major impact on the development of modern architecture all over the world by initiating an architectural and urban planning revolution of the first half of the 20th century. Local Werkbund divisions developed six modernistic residential complexes in Stuttgart, Bern, Zurich, Prague, Vienna and Wrocław. Not only are these estates cultural assets of extraordinary rank, but they also constitute a reflection of the political and social trends in the development of Europe and evidence to the popularisation of modernistic architecture.
The principal goal of the exhibition is to present all eight estates altogether for the first time, and by that means, to highlight their importance against the European cultural heritage. Owing to the collaboration of six municipalities forming an international network of the Werkbund housing estates and the institutions associated with them, we intend to present original elements of interior decoration and furnishings, historical blueprints, architectural designs and publications as well as archival and contemporary photographic documentation, including mock-ups of estates and individual houses. The exhibition will be accompanied by publication of a catalogue in Polish, English, Czech and German language versions as well as speeches and discussions.
Text by: Museum of Architecture in Wrocław
The exhibition is held under the architecture programme of the European Capital of Culture Wrocław 2016, and it is co-funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage under administration of the National Forum of Music. The project is implemented in collaboration with the Impart 2016 Festival Office, being the organiser of the European Capital of Culture Wrocław 2016 celebration events.
Curators: Grażyna Adamczyk-Arns, Ph.D. Eng,. architect Jadwiga Urbanik
Organiser: Museum of Architecture in Wrocław
Co-organisers: Impart 2016 Festival Office, National Forum of Music
Co-funded by: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
Strategic partner: KGHM Polska Miedź
Illustrations: courtesy of the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław.
