Available online
Description
The Einstein Tower in Potsdam near Berlin is often considered to be the only truely expressionist building to materialise from the architectural Expressionist's drawings and writings which emerged ...in Germany between 1912 and 1922. Dennis Sharp traces the genesis of the idea for the tower back to Erich Mendelsohn's letters and sketches from the front during the First World War. At this time Mendelsohn's mind was in a state of great activity. The curving irregular fonts of the tower were inspired by Mendelsohn's passion for music and his interest in Einstein's revolutionary ideals. That it evermaterialised is extraordinary: the technical problems were daunting. Credit must go to the brilliance of Mendelsohn and the enthusiasm of his client, Dr. Preundlich, for bringing such a complex and beautiful concept to fruition.
The Einstein Tower in Potsdam near Berlin is often considered to be the only truely expressionist building to materialise from the architectural Expressionist's drawings and writings which emerged ...in Germany between 1912 and 1922. Dennis Sharp traces the genesis of the idea for the tower back to Erich Mendelsohn's letters and sketches from the front during the First World War. At this time Mendelsohn's mind was in a state of great activity. The curving irregular fonts of the tower were inspired by Mendelsohn's passion for music and his interest in Einstein's revolutionary ideals. That it evermaterialised is extraordinary: the technical problems were daunting. Credit must go to the brilliance of Mendelsohn and the enthusiasm of his client, Dr. Preundlich, for bringing such a complex and beautiful concept to fruition.
| Module code and title: | A305, History of architecture and design 1890-1939 |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A305; 07 |
| First transmission date: | 19-04-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:12 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nick Levinson |
| Contributors: | Erich Mendelsohn; Dennis Sharp |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Einstein Tower; Expressionist architecture; Mendelsohn, Erich |
| Subject terms: | Einstein Tower; Expressionism (Architecture); Mendelsohn, Eric. Einstein Tower |
| Footage description: | A model of the tower is rotated with Bach's Magnificat playing in the background and occasional quotes from Mendelsohn. Numerous sketches and drawings of Mendelsohn's projects are shown, with more quotes from him concerning his theories. Bach's Magnificat is also playing. Sharp comments on Mendelsohn's projects and the sketches for the Tower. More music, more sketches and quotes from Mendelsohn, directly concerning the Tower, and his mode of working. Sharp mentions the specific purpose of the tower and then comments on how the finished structure fits Mendelsohn's 1917 theory. He describes the Dynamic, Rhythmic and Static conditions. Shots of the Tower. Beyer's comments on the building are outlined its purpose, its size etc. An extract from a recording of Mendelsohn's Oklahoma lecture of 1953 on the origins of the Tower. Sharp now looks at the plans of the Tower in detail, commenting on the actual constructional problems. Throughout this sequence there are shots and plans of the Tower. First of all he examines the underground laboratory. He moves on to tho ground floor with the stairwell and office. Finally he comments on the exterior, remarking on the church-like apsidel end and the cupola. Sharp sums up on the Tower, commenting on its uniqueness, its appropriateness for the job and its challenge to rectilinear architecture. |
| Master spool number: | HOU1398 |
| Production number: | 00525_3044 |
| Videofinder number: | 1750 |
| Available to public: | no |
