Caught in the Titotality Machine
The Bauhaus Architect Franz Ehrlich
Caught in the Titotality Machine / Gefangen in der Titotalitätsmaschine
The Bauhaus Architect Franz Ehrlich
Rediscovering architect Franz Ehrlich, a forgotten representative of the Bauhaus movement
Franz Ehrlich’s (1907-1984) eventful life as an architect began at the Bauhaus in Dessau. In 1937, he was taken to Buchenwald concentration camp as a resistance fighter, where he had to design the gate with the inscription »To each his own«. Ehrlich later had a successful career in the GDR – but his all-encompassing assertiveness collided with the political guidelines.
In their biographical essay, design scholar Friedrich von Borries and historian...
In their biographical essay, design scholar Friedrich von Borries and historian...
Read more
Franz Ehrlich’s (1907-1984) eventful life as an architect began at the Bauhaus in Dessau. In 1937, he was taken to Buchenwald concentration camp as a resistance fighter, where he had to design the gate with the inscription »To each his own«. Ehrlich later had a successful career in the GDR – but his all-encompassing assertiveness collided with the political guidelines.
In their biographical essay, design scholar Friedrich von Borries and historian Jens-Uwe Fischer follow in the footsteps of a forgotten representative of the Bauhaus. In doing so, they reflect on the contradictions in Ehrlich’s biography as well as the ambivalences of modernism and its claim to totality.
In their biographical essay, design scholar Friedrich von Borries and historian Jens-Uwe Fischer follow in the footsteps of a forgotten representative of the Bauhaus. In doing so, they reflect on the contradictions in Ehrlich’s biography as well as the ambivalences of modernism and its claim to totality.
»Von Borries and Fischer have expressed their approaches concisely. [The book] is also a worthwhile read as it contains a brief history of architecture and art in the GDR.« Christian Schröder, Der Tagesspiegel
»Well researched, clearly edited and written matter-of-factly.« Julian Ignatowitsch, Deutschlandfunk
»Well researched, clearly edited and written matter-of-factly.« Julian Ignatowitsch, Deutschlandfunk
»Von Borries and Fischer have expressed their approaches concisely. [The book] is also a worthwhile read as it contains a brief history of architecture and art in the GDR.« Christian Schröder, Der Tagesspiegel
»Well researched, clearly edited and written matter-of-factly.« Julian Ignatowitsch, Deutschlandfunk
»Well researched, clearly edited and written matter-of-factly.« Julian Ignatowitsch, Deutschlandfunk
2022, 315 pages
Persons
Friedrich von Borries
Author
Friedrich von Borries, born in Berlin in 1974, is an architect and Professor at the University of Fine Arts of Hamburg.
Friedrich von Borries
Author
Friedrich von Borries, born in Berlin in 1974, is an architect and Professor at the University of Fine Arts of Hamburg.
© H. Jonas
Jens-Uwe Fischer
Author
Jens-Uwe Fischer, born in 1977, researches the history of 20thcentury architecture and design. Franz Ehrlich is the focus of his PhD thesis.
Jens-Uwe Fischer
Author
Jens-Uwe Fischer, born in 1977, researches the history of 20thcentury architecture and design. Franz Ehrlich is the focus of his PhD thesis.
© Suhrkamp Verlag
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Rights sold to:
Spanish world rights (Metales Pesados)
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Until now, we have chosen to ignore the consequences of global warming in the blind hope that our politicians and engineers will come up with solutions once the problems have become sufficiently...
Rights sold to:
Arabic world rights (NCT)
Year of Publication: 2009
Friedrich von Borries, Jens-Uwe FischerYear of Publication: 2009
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Berlin, in the late 1920s. The Hirsch Kupfer und Messingwerke designed a prefabricated house – made of the weather-resistant copper from their own factory. Walter Gropius was...
Rights sold to:
Brazilian Portuguese rights (Editura Nau)
Year of Publication: 2008
Friedrich von Borries, Jens-Uwe FischerYear of Publication: 2008
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