Disruptive and forward-thinking at the time, the German Bauhaus, which lasted from 1919 to 1933, had a tremendous impact on 20th-century art, architecture, and design, one that far outweighs the relatively short length of its tenure. Even if you don’t know much about the Bauhaus (and we’re not talking the ’80s goth-rock band), you’re likely familiar with some of its members; for instance, artists like Paul Klee and Vasily Kandinsky or midcentury-modern design lions like Marcel Breuer and Mies van der Rohe.

Locally, the most important name to know is Herbert Bayer (1900–1985), who attended the Bauhaus early on and then taught advertising, design, and typography at the school until 1928. Bayer arrived in Aspen in 1945 and had an outsize influence here—forging an aesthetic vision for the whole community, designing the campus of the Aspen Institute, producing reams of diverse art, creating promotional campaigns, and initiating the town’s historic preservation efforts.

For the lowdown on Bayer, and to learn more about Aspen’s community-wide, year-long celebration (bauhaus100aspen.org), read on.

Photo: Courtesy Aspen Historical Society, Bayer Collection

In This Feature:

The Genesis of Bauhaus and Why We Celebrate It in Aspen Today

A conversation with Lissa Ballinger, art curator at the Aspen Institute

11/26/2018 By As told to Cindy Hirschfeld

Take a Tour of Bayer-Designed Outdoor Art at the Aspen Institute

Landscape architect Ann Mullins guides you by these Bauhaus-influenced works.

11/26/2018 By Cindy Hirschfeld

Who Was Bayer, What Is Bauhaus?

A new exhibit at the Aspen Historical Society aims to answer those questions and more.

11/26/2018 By Cindy Hirschfeld

The Bauhaus Legacy in Aspen

How has a short-lived, utopian German art school had such a lasting effect on this mountain town?

11/26/2018 By Harry Teague

Aspen Celebrates the Bauhaus Centennial in 2019

Exhibits, talks, and special events will take place all year long, including the one-and-only Bauhaus Ball.

11/26/2018 By Cindy Hirschfeld