CommDe students presented a Bauhaus-themed exhibition at the Goethe Institut in Bangkok, titled Mat Proc Draw Goes Bauhaus: A Celebration of 100 Years. On 6th November 2019.

The influence of the Bauhaus on design education is of great significance. One of the main objectives of the school was to unify art, craft, and technology. The structure of the Bauhaus Vorkurs-preliminary course-reflected a pragmatic approach to integrating theory and application. In their first year, students learnt the basic elements and principles of design and colour theory, and experimented with a range of materials and processes. Much of the Bauhaus’ bold, minimal and functional approach to teaching and creativity remain as the blueprint for art and design education globally

CommDe’s course Materials and Processes in Drawing and Making is proud to be part of this rich heritage. We present our own interpretation of Bauhaus culture as a performance, celebrating the masters who worked there, and their students. The work performed is the result of a seven-week learning unit in which the students’ collaborated in groups with the intent to develop their experiential design skills using cardboard–arguably the most ubiquitous material that can be used to encourage learning through ‘making and doing,’ including how the material can be used in relationship to basic anatomy and body movement. This practice knowledge has been supported by theoretical studies drawn from the rich archive materials from Goethe-Institut’s library.

CommDe and the Goethe Institut acknowledge their commitment to upholding the spirit of the Bauhaus and hope their predecessors 100 years ago in Weimar would be proud of the latest generation of young men and women following in their footsteps, creating a gesamtkunstwerk–a total work of art. CommDe’s Materials and Processes in Drawing and Making module is led by Wittamon Niwattichai, Eiji Sumi and Graham Newman.

Photographs by Wittamon Niwattichai.

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