Dear Michael I am in general agreement with your regarding Bauhaus (as well as its later American appropriation). But would you say that there is also a question of the ambiguity of its effect? That Bauhaus can be blurred, albeit awkwardly, with fascist architecture and American functional "egalitarianism" might indicate a shared discursive field that is discomforting, no? Just thought. best Stephen ---------- Original message ---------- From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2002 8:42:16 PM Subject: Bauhaus fascist? It seems odd to me to compare the Bauhaus' version of modernism (or Soviet constructivism) with fascism/Nazism. Yes, their industrial design was functionalist, but in an explicitly Marxist way that attempted to level, rather than reinforce, class distinctions. They also turned away from the classicism and Romanticism that were so dear to Hitler et al. Now, when we start thinking about the influence of the Bauhaus on the design of American cities (and particularly housing projects), the egalitarian ideal of housing for the masses becomes something else entirely.... Michael ---- To sign off Screen-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF Screen-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask] Stephen Sheehi Visiting Prof. of Arab Studies Duke University ---- Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the University of Alabama: http://www.tcf.ua.edu