One perspective on the historic Bauhaus that has been little explored to date is its engagement with ecological issues. The new exhibition Bauhaus Ecologies aims to change this. It focuses on the transdisciplinary encounters between design, science and technology that took place at the Bauhaus in the 1920s. The exhibition opens on Thursday 10 April 2025 at 6pm at the Bauhaus Museum in Dessau.

From crystallography and experimental film, biology and climate-conscious building, to abstract art and the life sciences, ‘Bauhaus Ecologies’ demonstrates the rich diversity of ecological thought among Bauhaus practitioners. The exhibition offers a counterpoint to the often-voiced criticism that the Bauhaus symbolises the destructive aspects of modernity. Instead, it shows how ideas of biocentrism, natural philosophy and organic design informed the practice of the avant-garde.

A highlight of the exhibition is the installation Bacterial Cellulose: Co-weaving Biofilms, developed at the Cluster of Excellence ‘Matters of Activity’ at the Humboldt University in Berlin. It brings together cutting-edge research at the intersection of design, biology and materials science.

‘Bauhaus Ecologies’ is accompanied by an extensive programme in cooperation with local initiatives and institutions. Lectures, excursions and presentations invite visitors to engage critically with ecological issues – both past and present.

The exhibition will run from 11 April to 2 November 2025 at the Bauhaus Museum Dessau. The exhibition is curated by Regina Bittner and Vera Lauf. Further information and free resources are available at bauhaus-dessau.de.