László Moholy-Nagy (1895–1946)

In this "new vision" Moholy-Nagy prophesies the next bend in the art road during his day. An incredibly relevant insight into the birth of Modernism especially in terms of painting. While Modernism is now past, the questions Moholy-Nagy probes remain unanswered, and many of the media he explores haven't reached resolution. An essential guidebook for learning from the recent past to look toward the future. I will be buying my own copy of this book.

Molto più tecnico e meno teorico di quanto immaginassi. Interessante la parte finale di illustrazioni.

Moholy-Nagy was one of the leading educators from the German Bauhaus, but this book concentrates on work of the Institute of Design, Chicago and "...presents a broader, more general view of the interrelatedness of art and life." than his earlier writings. It was avant-garde for its time, and remains a classic of visual theory and inspiration. Well illustrated, often with photography, a medium that the author greatly influenced with his writing, teaching and practice

Another version printed in blue is known and dates from 1929. A copy of this version was offered at Swann Auctions, Sale 2382 (7 May 2015), Lot 31 with an estimated value of USD 3.000-4.000,- but remained unsold.
Reproduced in Heinz and Bodo Rasch, 'Gefesselter Blick', Stuttgart 1930, p. 69 with the following commentary: 'prospekttitel. fotomontage. die gleiche fotografie is zweimal verwendet, lediglich diagonal zusammengestellt. es entsteht der eindruck starker räumlicher spannung. durch show more die entgegenlaufenden verkürzungen hat man es mit verschiedenen raumebenen zu tun. die beiden stärksten punkte sind die in der diagonale stehenden vorderen blöcke. die Dreiecks oben links und unten rechts wirken gegenüber dem geschehen in der mitte, das wie eine maschine in tätigkeit anmutet, ruhig. hier kann das auge text erfassen, er beschränkt sich auf die nummer 14.'
Also Reproduced in Patrick Rössler, Mirjam Brodbeck, 'Revolutionäre der Typographie. Gesammelte Werbegraphik der 1920er und 1930er Jahre als den Netzwerk des Buch- und Schriftgestalters Jan Tschichold', Wallstein Verlag, Göttingen 2022, p. 180 show less