JOHANNES ITTEN & PAUL
KLEE
COSMOS OF COLOR
Kunstmuseum Bern
Hodlerstrasse 8-12 - Bern
28/11/2012 - 1 /4/2013
Johannes Itten and Paul Klee stand out in the history of 20th century art for their significant contributions to color theory. Both artists developed their ideas on color over decades of reflection and work, and applied them throughout their art. The exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts Bern is the first to showcase Itten and Klee together as an artistic duo.
On the basis of prominent key works, the exhibition investigates the artistic confrontation between Johannes Itten and Paul Klee on the subject of color. The show explores related aspects such as color and esoteric notions, aura and harmony of color, color and abstraction, color and nature, and color division.
For the very first time we will be able to demonstrate that not only Klee influenced Itten, but also that Itten inspired Klee, and that both artists drew from a mutual source. Additionally the exhibition will explore color theory and how it was represented in the notes and diaries of both artists. The lives and careers of both Swiss artists converged at many points. For example, Paul Klee’s father was the first to inspire Itten in his artistic pursuits.
Conversely, Klee’s appointment to work at the Bauhaus in Weimar was chiefly supported by Itten. Well-nigh simultaneously in 1914/1915, both artists began their lifelong investigation and study of color theory as well as the structures inherent in the universe of color. In the case of Klee it was during a trip to Tunis, while Itten's interest was sparked off by Adolf Hölzel’s color theory in Stuttgart. Over many years, both artists took an interest in each other's art and also exchanged artworks.
The Kunstmuseum Bern, as home to the Johannes Itten Foundation, has key works of this artist in its care as well as works of Paul Klee – like the painting Ad Parnassum, which can rightly be considered as his artistic legacy on color. The fact that the show will also be shown in the Martin- Gropius-Bau in Berlin testifies to how great the interest is in this fascinating exhibition topic.
Image: Paul Klee, Legende vom Nil, 1937. Pastell auf Baumwolle, auf Kleisterfarbe, auf Jute, auf Keilrahmen, 69 x 61 cm. Hermann und Margrit Rupf-Stiftung, Kunstmuseum Bern
COSMOS OF COLOR
Kunstmuseum Bern
Hodlerstrasse 8-12 - Bern
28/11/2012 - 1 /4/2013
Johannes Itten and Paul Klee stand out in the history of 20th century art for their significant contributions to color theory. Both artists developed their ideas on color over decades of reflection and work, and applied them throughout their art. The exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts Bern is the first to showcase Itten and Klee together as an artistic duo.
On the basis of prominent key works, the exhibition investigates the artistic confrontation between Johannes Itten and Paul Klee on the subject of color. The show explores related aspects such as color and esoteric notions, aura and harmony of color, color and abstraction, color and nature, and color division.
For the very first time we will be able to demonstrate that not only Klee influenced Itten, but also that Itten inspired Klee, and that both artists drew from a mutual source. Additionally the exhibition will explore color theory and how it was represented in the notes and diaries of both artists. The lives and careers of both Swiss artists converged at many points. For example, Paul Klee’s father was the first to inspire Itten in his artistic pursuits.
Conversely, Klee’s appointment to work at the Bauhaus in Weimar was chiefly supported by Itten. Well-nigh simultaneously in 1914/1915, both artists began their lifelong investigation and study of color theory as well as the structures inherent in the universe of color. In the case of Klee it was during a trip to Tunis, while Itten's interest was sparked off by Adolf Hölzel’s color theory in Stuttgart. Over many years, both artists took an interest in each other's art and also exchanged artworks.
The Kunstmuseum Bern, as home to the Johannes Itten Foundation, has key works of this artist in its care as well as works of Paul Klee – like the painting Ad Parnassum, which can rightly be considered as his artistic legacy on color. The fact that the show will also be shown in the Martin- Gropius-Bau in Berlin testifies to how great the interest is in this fascinating exhibition topic.
Image: Paul Klee, Legende vom Nil, 1937. Pastell auf Baumwolle, auf Kleisterfarbe, auf Jute, auf Keilrahmen, 69 x 61 cm. Hermann und Margrit Rupf-Stiftung, Kunstmuseum Bern
