László Moholy-Nagy: 7-AM, New Year’s Morning, Berlin, 1930
Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons

László Moholy-Nagy, originally trained as a painter, was a prominent figure in the Bauhaus movement and a pioneer in photography. His piece, “7-AM, New Year’s Morning, Berlin, 1930,” stands as a testament to his innovative vision.

“7-AM, New Year’s Morning” captures Berlin from a bird’s-eye perspective, a hallmark of the New Vision approach in photography. This high vantage point not only provides a unique view of the city but also transforms the urban landscape into a composition that resembles line drawings. The interplay of light, shadow, and urban geometry creates a sense of depth and abstraction.

The photograph’s simplicity and minimalism echo the Bauhaus design ethos, where form follows function, and every element serves a purpose. Moholy-Nagy’s fine art approach to the medium is evident here, as he elevates a simple cityscape into a piece of art.

Bauhaus Era and New Vision
During the Bauhaus era, Moholy-Nagy played a crucial role in redefining the boundaries of art and design. He was instrumental in developing the New Vision (Neues Sehen) in photography, which emphasized unconventional viewpoints, such as extreme angles and high vantage points, and focused on the interplay of light and shadow. This approach revolutionised how photographers viewed and captured their subjects, moving beyond traditional compositions.

Moholy-Nagy’s influence extended beyond his photographs. His teachings, writings, and experimental approach to art and design left a lasting impact on how we perceive visual arts, making him a key figure in modernist photography.

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