In the late 1920s the pioneering firm of Kandem (Körting & Mathiesen AG, Leipzig) led the field in creating innovative lighting. Widespread in both private and public buildings, Kandem lighting fixtures also shaped nocturnal cityscapes throughout Europe. Drawing on intensive research and development, Kandem set the standards for modern lighting. As a school of art and design, the Bauhaus in Dessau was famous far beyond the borders of Germany. From the productive Bauhaus collaboration with Kandem emerged numerous types of lighting fixtures which were functional in design, form and construction. This pioneering achievement broke new ground in product development and design at a time when unlike the present collaboration between designers and industrialists was the exception. The results of their joint efforts were shown at important trade fairs such as the 1929 Werkbund exhibition 'Wohnung und Bauen' ('House and Building') in Breslau and the 'Exposition des Artistes Décorateurs Française' in Paris in 1930. Today the lighting fixtures developed then are admired as outstanding historic examples of product design.

Sought after by collectors and connaisseurs, they are represented at auctions and numerous museums. This book presents for the first time all known Kandem lights that were developed and produced in association with the Dessau Bauhaus. Four essays by well-known experts, a comprehensive chronology including many previously unknown sources and documents, clear biographical notes about the artists and industrialists involved (e.g., Marianne Brandt, Hin Bredendieck, László Moholy-Nagy) and a list of marks, together produce an unrivalled insight into the cooperation between the Bauhaus and the Körting and Mathiesen company and thus illuminate a gripping chapter of early product design. Text in English and German.