Taken by design

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The Institute of Design in Chicago stands as a pivotal institution in the history of photography, originating from experimental Bauhaus education. It nurtured influential figures such as Lázló Moholy-Nagy, Harry Callahan, and Aaron Siskind. Despite its significant contributions to photography, the ID's legacy has remained largely unexamined. This publication is the first to provide an in-depth exploration of the Institute and its enduring influence. Featuring nearly 300 illustrations, including many previously unpublished photographs, it chronicles the evolution of photography during America's midcentury. The book begins with Moholy's Bauhaus approach, emphasizing photography's role in training the "complete designer." It then delves into the formal and abstract camera experiments led by Callahan and Siskind, which sought to create a new photographic subjectivity. Additionally, it underscores the ID's emphasis on the photographic medium's processes. Alongside works by Moholy, Callahan, and Siskind, the publication includes contributions from Barbara Crane, Yasuhiro Ishimoto, and others. It also features major essays, biographies, a chronology, and reprints of critical essays, making it an essential resource for those interested in American photography's history.