A new collective revitalises the legacy of female Bauhaus artists

The Women Bauhaus is a new collective of five young female artists who are celebrating and perpetuating the legacy of the women behind the Bauhaus movement. The project has been commissioned by La Prairie as part of its ongoing patronage of the arts (also see its 2021 Niki de Saint Phalle retrospective at MoMA PS1) and will make its debut at Art Basel 2022 this June. 

Under the patronage of Wallpaper* Designer of the Year 2020 Sabine Marcelis, each of the artists has created a work of art that responds to the Bauhaus movement’s 'pursuit of harmony’ in design. 

The artists 

The artists behind The Women Bauhaus are Jasmine Deporta, a recent graduate of ECAL (the college previously collaborated on the La Prairie x ECAL design project); Kristin Chan of Hong Kong Design Institute; Lauren Januhowski of École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs; Talia Golchin of Central Saint Martins; and Gloria Fan Duan from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Each project is distinctly different in its execution but united in its influence by icons such as textile artist Otti Berger, Benita Koch-Otte, and Marianne Brandt – all women Bauhaus artists who, historically, have been relegated to the shadow of their male counterparts. 

For instance, textile artist Lauren Januhowski was inspired by the weaver Gunta Stölzl’s weaving patterns and colours to create a textile paravent using a monotype painting technique. For Out of the Blue, Jasmine Deporta has collaged fragmented images of female bodies together to create a floating, circular sculpture that draws from the Bauhaus in its use of colours and forms. 

Gloria Fan Duan’s work aligns Zen and Bauhaus teachings on harmony for Wishbone, a digital art sculpture in the shape of a knot that symbolises rhythm and universality. Talia Golchin’s work is also a digital sculpture that uses an animation of concentric circles to create an abstract rendering of the female form. Kristin Chan’s work Magnify blends architecture and 3D modelling to create a miniature world that highlights the importance of scale in creating a harmonious spatial sculpture. 

Speaking about The Women Bauhaus, Deporta says, ‘Female collectives are founded on the premise that women can raise each other up in order to reach their potential and circumnavigate insecurities. This collective is a beautiful concept in its equality, solidarity and community.’ 

Golchin echoes the point: ‘From a professional aspect, it is enriching to join forces and work with talented artists with different creative backgrounds. From animation and sculpture to textile and architecture, we have formed a creative power collective. From a personal aspect, I feel that I have been part of an important journey that could potentially influence others.’ 

The product launch 

La Prairie's artistic patronages are always aligned with a new product launch, and this year’s debut is one of its most exciting yet. Skin Caviar Harmony L'Extrait is a new addition to the brand’s iconic Skin Caviar collection. Infused with patented Caviar Infinite, the serum strengthens skin ligaments to prevent facial sagging and smooth deep wrinkles.

INFORMATION

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