wiedler.ch

book (design) story #224

justus bier:
georg kolbe

kestner-gesellschaft, hannover, 1933
printer: edler & krische, hannover
size: 20 x 15 cm
designer: friedrich vordemberge-gildewart

the kestner-gesellschaft was (and still is) a hannover-based society that organises exhibitions of modern art. from the mid-1920s friedrich vordemberge-gildewart (1899-1962) had his studio in their building, and he also designed their printed matters like this standardised exhibition catalogue format.

after 1933 the kestner-gesellschaft managed to operate for a few years longer until they chose to stop their activities rather than adapting to official nazi art politics. this georg kolbe (1977-1947) exhibition certainly wasn't problematic: kolbe was among the artists hitler liked. although kolbe never joined the nsdap and allegedly refused to do a portait bust of hitler, his career in nazi germany has somewhat damaged this gifted artist's reputation since. the text is signed "b." for justus bier (1899-1990) the (jewish) director who emigrated to the u.s. after the kestner-gesellschaft stopped operating in 1936.

there are modernist ads for wallpaper, and an "ekaha" ad designed by v-g. below the ad for "bauhaus 33" wallpaper. the designer and printers of the catalogue are credited: "typo: vordemberge-gildewart" and "edler & krische, hannover".