Bauhaus Einflüsse (témoignages d'aujourd'hui de la fonctionnalité esthétique)

Logo du Bauhaus, créé en 1922 par Oskar Schlemmer.
Source: Wikipedia

L'influence de l'école allemande du Bauhaus a été profonde dans notre société et ce malgré sa brièveté initiale de 1919-1933. Elle s'inscrit dans une vision originale qui allie fonctionnalisme et esthétique pour en produire une vision artistique moderne de notre habitat et de ses accessoires de la vie courante.

Le Bauhaus ou peut-être traduisible en l'art de construire une maison, a donné ses lettres de noblesse à l'utilisation de matériaux, de techniques et d'agencements purement contemporains et a proposé de nous libérer des visions classiques en architecture des bâtiments, des espaces et des objets à l'usage des hommes et femmes de notre société.

Plusieurs qualificatifs peuvent s'appliquer au Bauhaus: simplicité, audace, confort, cubisme, luminescence, etc. Bref son interprétation est multiple et très diversifiée. Plusieurs créateurs s'en sont inspirés consciemment ou involontairement car le fonctionnalisme moderne relie aujourd'hui la beauté de l'oeuvre avec l'efficience de son utilité.

Bref le Bauhaus a participé à l'émancipation de l'humanité à bâtir un univers propre à sa signature laïque, proportionnelle, artistique et fonctionnelle.

Voici quelques exemples de témoignages volontaires ou non du Bauhaus extraits de mon environnement quotidien:

Une résidence privée de construction cubique d'inspiration Bauhaus volontaire ou inconsciente qui réfère
 peut-être aussi au complexe d'Habitat 67 de l'exposition universelle de Montréal de 1967.

Le Centre de l'interprétation de l'eau de la Ville de Laval (Canada) dont le minimalisme
 architectural rend bien la vocation utilitaire essentielle de ce service.

Le nouveau (2018) Centre d'exploration du Parc de la rivière des Milles-Iles (Canada) qui réunit une exposition d'interprétation de la faune et flore, un centre d'activités riveraines de plein air et un lieu de rencontres multidisciplinaires. Le bâtiment construit aux récentes normes LED de récupération et d'efficience écologique possède une fenestration très dynamique tournée sur l'intégration au milieu naturel.

Le principe des balcons avancés formant échelle en facade de cet immeuble.
Leur caractère indépendant confère à leurs utilisateurs une impression de liberté
 par rapport à la vocation de confinement des appartements auxquels ils se rattachent. 

Ce n'est pas "la" chaise emblématique du Bauhaus mais
 une interprétation fonctionnelle à la fois utilitaire, compact et esthétique.

Les lampes de bureau d'inspiration Bauhaus font parti de notre environnement domestique
 depuis plusieurs décennies. Aujourd'hui elles sont toujours d'actualité malgré leur usage
 moindre avec l'adoption de l'écran rétroéclairé des ordinateurs et des autres appareils informatiques.
 Ici nous avons une lampe FORSA disponible chez IKEA.

Small is beautiful: a life with compact cameras.

Yashica Mat 124G (Analog 120/220 film)
Photo source: Images and Cameras

When that passion for compact cameras really has been begin in my life? May be right from the start. At that time analog medium format cameras were still alive and were still selling relatively well. I remember that we were using Yashica Mat 124G cameras (120/220 film format) for our photography learning classes and although that twin lens reflex was very sexy, it was not so practical considering its reversed sided viewfinder, its annoying parallax in particular if the subject was close to you and the roll films needed were a bit annoyingto load into the camera body, but using its waist level finder was a nice feature that was helping you to compose your picture. Even at the time most of us consider the Yashica Mat 124G as a true compact camera!

Asahi Pentax SP II (Analog 35mm film)
Photo source: Wikipedia

For the 35mm (mini) film format, we were allowed to work with Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II cameras coupled with Takumar 50mm F1.8 or F1.4 standard lenses. For sure the Pentax was my favorite by far and it was the photo device that was resembling the most of the iconic Nikon F of David Hemmings in the Antonioni's Blow Up movie. But on many aspects the ergonomics and the functionalities of the Spomatic II was better than the Mat 124G. And it was the start of a life long affair with compact cameras and their analog 35mm film format.

Olympus OM-2n (Analog 35mm film)

Compact SLR 35mm camera design culminate with the introduction of the Olympus OM-1 (M-1) in 1972 and their nice line of small Zuiko lenses. The Olympus OM SLRs were the modern replacement of the long traditional and successful Leica M series. Many cameras manufacturers have responded to that new trend of SLR compactness with their own interpretative models, Pentax with their M series, Nikon with their FM, FE and successors, Canon with their A more electronic series, Minolta with their X series, etc. It was really a beautiful period for SLR passionates because choices and novelties were numerous.

Konica Hexar Silver (Analog 35mm film)
Photo source: CataWiki

Passion for compact design were not limited to interchangeable lens cameras. There were several fix lens camera models that were equally interesting. One of my favorite was the Minox 35 which a tiny "spy" model perfect for travelers who didn't want to be noticeable from the pack of tourists equipped with large photo gadget bags. The Minox was able to deliver fairly decent pictures but not really suitable for enlargement or more accentued picture cropping. On its part, Konica was offering a very fine Hexar model coupled with a beautiful 35mm F2 lens. And how about the Leica Minilux like the name rightly said was an expensive and competent model with a fix Summarit 40mm F2.4 lens. Each camera manufacturer have dedicated at least one specific 35mm film format (with a fix lens) model to embellish their reputation into the compact camera field.

Things had taken another technical turn with the introduction of autofocus cameras and lenses and the  compact factor seems to be no more in many camera designer agendas. With the apparition of the motorized advance of film into the camera bodies the size of them had inflated at a very discouraging rate and even with the event of the new digital era that didn't really solve the problem at first.  But with time and new sensor formats such as MFT (Micro Four Third) and APS-C (23X15mm) we finally be able to own compact (interchangeable lens) models. Even some 24X36mm sensor format models are now smaller although their lenses are still on the big size dimensions.

Olympus Pen-F (Digital MFT sensor format)

There is more and more photographic enthusiasms including some pros who are sharing their passion to have and use compact digital cameras. The mirrorless technology embrasse rightly this contemporary trend. A mix of traditional ergonomics combined with the latest electronic and computer technologies are now producing highly competent, versatile, even robust compact camera models to be chosen by photographers. Some modular designs becoming very attractive as Olympus, Panasonic, Fujifilm or Sony have already introduced in their line-up. And there are hopes that Nikon and Canon  may follow in the near future.

The needs for compact photo equipment is not new and can be traced from the dawn of the photography. Today the demand for compactness is strong and their users want to have also access to the latest technical avancements and the highest photo quality available. A special mix that the recent new technologies have allowed at an affordable price. There is no reason not profit it!

What about the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II ?

Don't trow away your small pots!

Yes it is a very pertinent question in particular with the introduction of the newest pro graded Olympus OM-D E-M1X. We don't know the manufacturer future planning concerning the still available Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II but some could be thinking in vue the recent price decrease of the Mark II that Olympus could be in the process to phase out the inventory of the E-M1 Mark II. True or not I think there is a place for the two models involved.

Let me trace a parallel with two ex-pro analog cameras of a less recent time. Nikon use to offer pro F series modular cameras from the original model F to the autofocus F4 which was a very clever choice for photographers who want to have the flexibility of compactness and the option of adding a sport motorized vertical grip. Later on the manufacturer choose to offer the F5 monobloc model that use the same principle design and handling that we are seing today with the new Olympus OM-D E-M1X.  Although I fully agree about the robustness and the "sport and nature" nature of the ergonomic of the E-M1X, it is certainly not what we can call a compact package.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II / M.Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 Pro

So what about the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II? In my book it is still a very competent pro photo device. For photographers on the run, for travel, for reproduction and macro works, for discrete application, etc, the Mark II fills the bill perfectly. If you are a user of small fix focal length lenses, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II represent a logic combo difficult to beat into the MFT planet but I must add that it is not a "pocket" camera obviously (Olympus have already various other models to fulfill that task). My humble advice to new E-M1X owners: don't sell out your E-M1 Mark II (if you have one) and preserve it as a back-up or as an alternative camera for other different picture taking situations.

Even in 2019, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is filling the gap between the specialized "sport and news" E-M1X model and the rest smaller Olympus mirrorless models. And it is a "pro" photo device designed to withstand adverse conditions and intensive use.

We have reached a certain "plateau" in the development of the digital photo equipment and the manufacturers tend to diversify their offer in specific different amateur and professional directions. Because of its specialized clientele, many new camera models will be more expensive compare to the ones introduced during the previous "flash" era of artificial mass photo consumer market. Now we are entering into a more mature one in which most photographers are more carefully considering their buying options before committing into a camera  or lens model or an entire photo system.

If you like to do photography and you are looking for a proved compact pro option, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II may still be one of the finest offer over the market.