The European Commission's ambitious project to revive the Bauhaus design movement with a modern, net-zero twist has hit a wall, and it's not just because of the pandemic. The New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, has fallen short of its grand vision, and the reasons are as intriguing as they are disappointing.
The NEB, with its €1.4 billion budget, aimed to bring together architects, artists, designers, and researchers to create a new ethos of climate-conscious design. But as the biennial festival in Brussels unfolds, the question arises: where is the legacy?
One could argue that the NEB's struggle is a reflection of Europe's cultural stagnation. By relying on the Bauhaus movement of the early 20th century as inspiration, the initiative might be trying to recapture the glory days, much like the far-right Alternative für Deutschland or the Dutch populist Geert Wilders. This is not to say that the Bauhaus movement isn't important, but rather that trying to replicate its past success might be a futile endeavor.
The NEB's community, which claims 2,000 members and covers 700 projects, seems to be struggling to make an impact. On YouTube, the NEB has just 500 subscribers, and on Instagram, it has 48,000 followers. This is a far cry from the 'distinct aesthetic' von der Leyen envisioned. The projects themselves, such as the 'AI-enhanced' website and the wood course in Genoa, seem more like a collection of interesting ideas rather than a revolution in architecture.
The NEB's focus on 'beautiful, together, and sustainable' values might be too broad and vague. While the idea of combining form and function is appealing, the initiative seems to be missing the mark when it comes to creating a lasting impact. The projects, while innovative, lack the depth and substance that would make them truly revolutionary.
In my opinion, the NEB's failure to create a lasting legacy is a missed opportunity. The initiative had the potential to be a powerful force for change, but instead, it seems to be a collection of interesting ideas that are struggling to find their place in the world. Perhaps the NEB needs to take a step back and re-evaluate its approach. What if the focus should be on creating a community of practitioners who can truly embody the Bauhaus ethos, rather than just funding projects? What if the NEB should be more about the process than the outcome? These are questions that the initiative needs to answer if it wants to truly make a difference.
