max bill – the master’s vision

A documentary feature film by Erich Schmid

The film about Max Bill (1908-1994) moves between the dynamic fields of art, aesthetics and politics. Max Bill was probably the most important Swiss artist of the 20th century and the most famous student to come out of the legendary Bauhaus in Dessau. He was an ardent anti-fascist and all his avant-garde work as an artist, sculptor, architect and typographer showed a social responsibility and environmental awareness right through his life. His views have become incredibly topical.

During his lifetime he was a rebel – today he lives ever present on the upper spheres of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His name stands for a whole avant-garde life-work, which is firmly focused on the future, which bears a social responsibility and which intrinsically contains an engaged political message. What mattered for Max Bill was the creation of our environment and a green consciousness, which is currently of incredible imminence.

For all those who want to understand Bill’s oeuvre in relation to his biography, Erich Schmid has directed documentary film «bill – the master’s vision». For six years he has been working at this 35mm documentary feature film, in order to open up eyes and minds for many unknown facts about Max Bill for the big screen. That much can already be said: It’s a highly potent mix of arts, aesthetics and politics. Max Bill – the master’s vision will be released in cinemas in Switzerland from 11th September 2008.

-          Where: University of Washington, Architecture Hall, Room 147 (350 seat Auditorium)

-          When: 6pm, Wednesday, February 1, 2012

-          The venue is free and open to the public.

-          The film’s director, Erich Schmid, and the widow of Max Bill, Angela Thomas, will both be in attendance.

-          A reception will follow the viewing.

-          For more information about Max Bill and the film see the director’s website:  http://www.maxbillfilm.ch/dsp.php?en,5,1,2,0

Funded by the Consulate General of Switzerland. Supported by UW School of Art + Department of Architecture