Lilly Reich, the forgotten modernist designer behind the Barcelona chair

Summary

This episode of Scandinavian Design 101 introduces Lilly Reich, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in modernist furniture design. Born in 1885 Berlin, Reich's work with the Deutscher Werkbund and collaborations with Mies van der Rohe, including the iconic Barcelona Chair, significantly influenced 20th-century design. Despite facing gender barriers, she became the first female board member of the Werkbund and contributed to major exhibitions like the Weissenhof Estate and the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona World Fair.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Lilly Reich was an important figure in modernist furniture design, yet she is not widely known.
• 🏭 Born in 1885 in Berlin, she was from a wealthy family and received a good education, unlike many of her contemporaries.
• 🌐 In 1908, she moved to Vienna and was influenced by progressive artists of the Wiener Werkstätte, who sought new forms for modern living.
• 🔨 After returning to Berlin, she faced the reality that women were not welcomed in architecture and furniture design, leading her to work with textiles and as an interior decorator.
• 🏛 In 1912, she became a member of the Deutsche Bank bond, a state-sponsored association promoting good design for mass-produced goods.
• 👗 She was the first female to join the association's Board of Directors in 1920, a significant achievement for a woman at the time.
• 🤝 Lilly Reich collaborated closely with the architect Mies van der Rohe, contributing to his success with her organizational and financial skills.
• 🏡 Together, they designed the Tugendhat House, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing their modernist design approach.
• 💺 Reich was the only woman to design a series of tubular steel furniture for the Thonet firm, challenging gender norms in design.
• 🌍 The 1929 Barcelona World Fair was a key event where Mies van der Rohe designed the German Pavilion, with Reich's help in organization and finances.
• 🛋 The iconic Barcelona Chair, now a design classic, was created for this event, with historical evidence suggesting a collaborative effort between Reich and Mies van der Rohe.

Q & A

Who is the subject of the video 'Scandinavian Design 101'?

The video is about Lilly Reich, an important figure in furniture design and modernist movement.

What year and place was Lilly Reich born?

Lilly Reich was born in 1885 in Berlin, in the heart of the German Empire.

What social conditions characterized the areas where the working class lived in Berlin during Lilly Reich's childhood?

The working class lived in slum areas called 'Mietskasernen' with poorly built rental barracks, poor living conditions, insufficient sunshine due to overcrowding, and epidemics.

What was considered a suitable occupation for women at the time when Lilly Reich started working?

Embroidery was considered a suitable occupation for women when Lilly Reich started working.

What significant group did Lilly Reich come in contact with when she moved to Vienna?

Lilly Reich came in contact with the Wiener Werkstätte and progressive artists of the Josef Hoffmann school in Vienna.

What was the purpose of the Deutscher Werkbund that Lilly Reich joined?

The purpose of the Deutscher Werkbund was to establish a partnership between designers and producers to inspire good design and craftsmanship for mass-produced goods and architecture.

What was the significance of Lilly Reich being the first female on the Board of Directors of the Deutscher Werkbund in 1920?

It was significant because it was quite unexpected at the time for a woman to have a leading role in design and architecture, which were male-dominated fields.

Who was the architect with whom Lilly Reich collaborated closely and for many years?

Lilly Reich collaborated closely with the architect Mies van der Rohe for many years.

What is the significance of the Tugendhat House designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich?

The Tugendhat House is considered a masterpiece of modern design and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What famous piece of furniture was created for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona World Fair?

The famous Barcelona Chair was created for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona World Fair.

What was the role of the World's Fairs in the 19th century and how did their purpose evolve?

World's Fairs started in the mid-19th century as crucial events for making international trade connections and spreading innovative technical solutions. Later, they became more about showcasing a country's best products and bragging rights.