Erich Mendelsohn (21 March 1887-15 September 1953) was a Jewish German architect. He born in Olsztyn and died in San Francisco. Besides the architectural education, the aspect of artistry of Erich Mendelsohn was also very strong, that’s why he made living with selling his Works between 1912-1914.
Erich Mendelsohn was aware of the architectural developments and problems of the day, and he published a 100 pages comprehensive review book in 1929, with photographs he took and sketches he made in various places around the world like Russia, USA and England etc. and also he took some images from the works by Hilbersheimer, Walter Gropius, Mumford, Lukomskij, Hegemann, Giedion, Adolf Behne.
The curiosity led him to visit Russia and America, he attracted when he compared these countries with his home country. In his book ‘from Russia, Europe, America; an Architectural cross-section ‘, he analyzed the various architectural styles and approaches with examining the construction types like universities, theaters, residences, markets and street scenes, banks and hospitals etc. The political and social situation of the world in this period was quite different from each other and these forms of life and culture have led to different styles and rules in these countries.
For Mendelsohn, Europe placed between the two great authority; the socialist Russia and America that has built up its strong foundation and improving itself. The power and resources of America at this time could not be ignored, America has an independent and relaxed society structure because it is far from being influenced by the revolutions in Europe and Russia and the heated debate behind it.
On the other hand, the developments in the aspects of inventions, design and science which have been created by European public for centuries were still in their mind and Europe should concentrate on its own potential and the laws built by its society. During his journey in America he had the chance to see and study the works which became popular and new for the time like skyscrapers, commercial buildings, and automotive factories etc. The reason why he was that much successful and impressive to express his ideas and materials directly for these constructions.
After a while his visit to Russia in 1925 had a quite different meaning for him, his familiarity with Europe and its tradition, which he was always in, led him to find the practices of eastern civilization different and fantastic. Another direction that influences Mendelsohn is that the broad boundaries of Russia and the untouched nature. The negative side of these boundaries was very wide and cannot be passed, the positive side is to present infinite fields
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