Feminist Design Methodology: Considering the Case of Maria Kipp Page: 66
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involvement with this religion prompted their move from Germany to Los Angeles, the
world capital of the Mazdaznan movement. In the "1917-1931" section of her
autobiography she dedicated several pages to Mazdaznan and her belief in freedom of
religion and choice.127 In the end, she expressed her disappointment with L.A.'s
Mazdaznan group, writing that they were "dirty." Surely she must have been dissatisfied
with what they found; she was coming from an elite artistic and intellectual circle in
Germany to an unkempt and unorganized group of American Mazdaznan enthusiasts in
L.A. However, there were other 6migr6s like Kipp and her husband with similar
backgrounds or beliefs with whom they formed connections and friendships.
Here, I propose a connection between Kipp's experience as described in her
writings and Haeckel's letter to R.M. Schindler soliciting handweaving work. It seems
more than a coincidence that Haeckel wrote to Schindler to offer handweaving services
for the house being designed for Dr. Lovell, an unconventional health specialist who
wrote a regular local newspaper column. Dr. Lovell advocated outdoor activities, special
diets, and an unconventional lifestyle incredibly similar to the practices of followers of
the Mazdaznan movement in Germany and the U.S. In this context, I estimate that
Haeckel's solicitation was not a random letter, but directed by a like-minded interest
either with Dr. Lovell or by a mutual 6migr6 friend with Viennese-born Schindler. Either
typographer who had given himself the name Dr. O.Z. (for Zarathustra) A. Ha'nish. Mazdaznan saw the
world as a battlefield on which evil continuously challenges good for supremacy. (Good is represented by
the spirit Ahura Mazda of whom Zarathustra spake.) Mazdaznan also held that what is commonly
contrued as reality is no more than a veil obscuring a higher and more authentic existence. In order to
make the mind and body receptive to the true reality, Mazdaznan presrcibed a programme of physical
and mental exercies, a rigorous vegetarian diet and regular purification of the system by means of fasting
and enemas. Itten followed the prescription to the letter and, as the outward signs of his inner convictions,
shaved his head and wore a long, loose-fitting robe. Everything Itten did was informed by Mazdaznan. As
a teacher he believed that everyone was innately creative and that Mazdaznan could provide the key to
unlock their natural artistic talent. With Itten Mazdaznan virtually took over the Bauhaus for a time, for the
Swiss was far and away the most important teacher there for more than two years."68
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Lawrence, Anne. Feminist Design Methodology: Considering the Case of Maria Kipp, thesis, December 2003; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc5538/m1/70/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .