Seen full scale for the first time, these works of art by Gunta Stölzl were originally created on paper at the Bauhaus in the 1920s. It's taken too long for this important designer to receive the attention she deserves, which is why DWR is pleased to present the work of Gunta Stölzl. A notable figure at the Bauhaus, Stölzl is known for her textiles as well as her leadership as one of the few women to teach at the Bauhaus, and the only woman to hold a senior role on the faculty. Her 12 years at the Bauhaus began when Walter Gropius invited her to join as a student. The year was 1919, a time when the Bauhaus prided itself on being "an egalitarian community, with absolute equality," but the lack of female faculty is telling of another story. Women were tolerated as an exception in subjects like metalworking and cabinetmaking, and were strongly encouraged to pursue crafts like bookbinding and weaving. Rather than being frustrated by this, Stölzl saw opportunity in pursuing a subject that didn't interest the men. Free to make the Weaving Workshop her own, she explored ways to "reinvent" weaving and in the process evolved it from craft to industrial design. Fellow student Anni Albers described Stölzl as "having an almost animal feeling for textiles," and having an affinity for color. (Stölzl credited Paul Klee with opening her eyes to how colors interact with each other.) Her work also shows an understanding of omnidirectional design, in how it is satisfying to approach each rug from any angle. DWR wants to thank weaver Jack Lenor Larsen for having the idea of creating these rugs, Christopher Farr for guiding this project to fruition and Stölzl's daughters, Yael Aloni and Monika Stadler, for believing in the project and providing assistance with archives.

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