It is a documentary style film that uses interviews from former students, family members, and experts to create a really interesting and compelling image of who Moholy-Nagy was. These interviews create a captivating and personal reflection of Maholy-Nagy and how he impacted those around him. The film intertwines vintage footage with modern quality, creating a flowing and intriguing series of events.
Maholy's artistic and teaching philosophy prioritized approach and process much more than the end product of art. This approach is somewhat ironic considering that Maholy also created art and taught art as something that should have a tangible impact on the outside world. These two seemingly contradictory principles of Maholy's artistic and teaching philosophy show the importance that he placed on art as a vehicle to bring people together, both through the creative process of art, as well as the communal nature of art and the unifying role that it plays in society once it's been released out into the world.
Our one potential criticism would be that it perhaps relies sometimes on a previously established connection between the viewer and the subject material. It can be advised that the viewer partakes in some brief knowledge or summarizing of Chicago and the foundation of art in the city before viewing. The impact would definitely be greater with an appreciation of modern design/impact of abstract art.
We watched this film for an Art History of Chicago class and overall we found it really cool to see the impact Moholy-Nagy had not only on the city but also on the individuals he encountered in his life. It definitely depended out appreciation not only of Moholy-Nagy but also of the art movement he was a part of and would definitely recommend to art lovers and non art lovers alike.
