New exhibition at Zentrum Paul Klee in Switzerland

BERN - How artists take their lines for a walk is the theme of the latest exhibition at the Zentrum Paul Klee.

Their line formations are like abstract scribbles, letters, hieroglyphics and calligraphic signs.

The exhibition investigates the features that writing and artistic creation have in common. Both acts are controlled and gestural – they combine concept and spontaneity. The selected artists move between these two fundamental poles, stressing the importance of the process.

The exhibition «Taking a Line for a Walk» explores the significance of handwriting, script and written signs in artistic work.

Starting with Paul Klee’s interest in handwriting and calligraphy, the properties of writing are more closely examined. Writing follows certain rules so that the script can be deciphered and is at the same time the spontaneous expression of an individual.

The artists selected for the exhibition develop their artistic activity between the twin poles of spontaneity and concept. This exhibition is not only about WHAT is depicted, but about HOW.

The artistic working process is central. The area of tension between gesture and concept extends from the gestural scripts of Henri Michaux, Mark Tobey and Cy Twombly via Paul Klee, Brice Marden and Olav Christopher Jenssen to the conceptual painting of Jonathan Lasker or the «Word Paintings» of Christopher wool.

The exhibition draws a line from Klee to the present day. The pieces on display include key works by artists such as Cy Twombly and Brice Marden, but also works that are rarely shown, such as the posthumous series of drawings by Henri Michaux.

The exhibition is curated by Fabienne Eggelhöfer.