Bauhaus Color
Theory
The Bauhaus school supported innovation in the arts and architecture from 1919 to 1933. The color theories that were developed during that time were new methods of associating emotions or an aura with different palettes, as well as a way of grouping colors of different tones, shades or hues.
History
The Bauhaus became an institution for some of the most prominent architects, designers and artists of their time when it opened in 1919 in Weimer, Germany. Founded by architect Walter Gropius, the school is characterized as having "geometric design, craftsmanship and a respect for materials." The school moved to Dessau in 1923 and made a final move to Berlin in 1932.
Who
Johannes Itten was one of the many teachers who taught at the Bauhaus in the early 1900s. It was where he came to develop his theories on the color wheel. His book, "The Art of Color" documents his approach to creating harmony with color. It was not only about using colors that fit on the spectrum, but about use and view color's cultural associations.
Considerations
In determining his new aspects for color, Itten created a 12-hue color wheel that forms contrasting elements to help visualize his theories of how shades and hues can come together. Not only did he show how colors could be grouped based on their pigments, Itten was also interested in how they would affect a person psychologically. He taught theories on this while at the Bauhaus. This included religious, philosophic, and psychological associations recognized in specific colors.
Significance
For teachers at the Bauhaus, color theory became more subjective and exploratory to an individual's preferences and sensations. Part of the instruction was to have students develop their own palettes of subjective colors, which comprised a large range of choices. The question of "how" someone sees was explored in art, architecture and all other aspects of design.
Influence
One of the most recognized reference materials for color instruction is the color wheel that Itten produced at the Bauhaus. Not only did this influence future use of color through the 20th and into the 21st century, but the research and material produced during that time is a relevant tool for interior designers, architects, artists and all other creative individuals today.
