Movies about design and designers are becoming as common as Judd Apatow films, albeit slightly less amusing. Among the latest, Max Bill, the outspoken (think: feud with Jan Tschichold) Bauhaus student turned designer, sculptor, and painter, is the star of a feature, Max Bill: The Master’s Vision, directed by Erich Schmid. It is a truly illuminating biomentary.
Bill (1908-1994) came from the blue-collar town of Winterthurnear Zürich. During his lifetime he was a rebel. “His name stands for a whole avant-garde life-work, whichis firmly focused on the future, which bears a social responsibilityand which intrinsically contains an engaged political message,” says the website. “Whatmattered for Max Bill was the creation of our environment and a greenconsciousness, which is currently of incredible imminence.” This film brings his concerns and accomplishments to life.
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About Steven Heller
Steven Heller is the co-chair of the SVA MFA Designer /Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, writes frequently for Wired and Design Observer. He is also the author of over 170 books on design and visual culture. He received the 1999 AIGA Medal and is the 2011 recipient of the Smithsonian National Design Award.View all posts by Steven Heller →