Zentrum Paul Klee — Attraction in Bern

It is with a heavy heart that I write this review. I am myself an artist and a major Paul Klee appreciator/aficionado. Thus, with a certain expectation of seeing some exceptional works, I dragged several non-artist friends with me to the museum.

The architecture is interesting- no doubt about that. The museum proudly boasts 4,000 works. However, nearly all of them apparently remain in storage while a minimal number are periodically trotted out for changing mini-exhibitions, presumably in order to keep local visitors returning.

Being very familiar with Klee's work as well as being able to discern quality based upon recognizable skill and mastery, the exhibit we paid to see was not only terribly small but rather poorly curated- with a title that possessed no particular context to the paintings on exhibit. The unfortunately chosen piece of artwork used on the exhibition poster should have been a dead giveaway.

Perhaps ½ dozen (certainly under 10) pieces shown in the Klee exhibit we saw were of any genuine quality. No major pieces were on hand and only one piece was actually recognizable as one of his known works. Every artist- no matter how great- has good days and bad ones. One had the feeling that a number of the works on view were those from portfolios Klee himself never intended anyone to see.

A German speaking video playing in the back (with a paltry few low volume English earphones available) was well made and informative. There, one could finally get a sense of what Klee was so undeniably capable of. The exhibition video should never be the highlight of the visitor's experience but unfortunately- in this case- it was.

A more-than-triple-the-space area was reserved for an exhibition of Supremist (and like minded) paintings in an adjoining room. That I am not personally enamoured of these particular works is irrelevant to the fact that such a decisively larger space really ought to have been reserved for the artist the museum is named after.

Arguably some of the most interesting items on view are a tiny glass walled bee hive in a hallway and (rather bizarrely) a row of corn cobs on exhibit that- as incongrous to an art museum that these artifacts may be- Klee himself might have been able to find inspiration in.

The dubious "pleasure and fullfillment" provided by this museum visit comes at a fairly steep price- Louvre, Met and MOMA territory yet the exhibition(s) on view are but the faintest of shadows in juxtaposition, size and quality-wise. Your future visit MAY be more fortunate than ours but I suspect that the general approach I have named is how this museum rolls. To be forewarned is to...

I was back to my favorite Swiss art museum, this time to see the recently opened exhibition on the Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret from La Chaux-de-Fonds in the Swiss Jura mountains). Most of what is on display covers the years principally devoted to his painting and sculptor career up till the end of the 1940-ies, when his architectural activity took off to dominate his professional life. The exhibition is beautifully curated and despite being a Corbusier fan since my young years, e.g. for well over 60 years, there were lots of new information to learn about. This is definitely one of the top museums for modern art in Switzerland, honoring its citizen Paul Klee. Just now there are two exhibitions, one presenting his contemporary, Juan Miró and the second, featuring a selection of Klee's work, called "the technical frenzy of Klee". Both are extremely interesting and should not be missed. The premises are beautiful and themselves worth a visit and the museum shop is of high quality. We particularly like the Klee postcard section where you will always find something appealing to send to you friends or beloved ones. A must when...

Zentrum Paul Klee is a museum dedicated to Bern’s favourite artist Paul Klee - an important 20th century Classic Modernist artist. The museum has an architecturally pleasing exterior with its wave-like form signifying the artist’s fascination with water and nature and how humans integrate with it. The interior is clean and uncluttered and makes for a very pleasing viewing experience. I chose the audio guide and it accurately reflects Klee’s inspirations and events in his life. For Paul Klee fans it would be an awe inspiring experience. For those who don’t know him then it may not overwhelm you. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and getting to know his life better. Mind you they have over 4000 pieces of the artist and roughly 100 pieces are on display so much is in storage. I particular enjoyed Pomona, Overripe and Seasnail King. The admission was included with the Swiss Travel Pass and the audio guide cost me 6 CH. Washrooms and lockers are in the basement. Overall a great experience for me. For those who don’t know him then maybe less...