SFMOMA Presents a Dialogue Between Paul Klee and Andrew Schoutz

Written by Edgar Derleth Thursday, 11 August 2011 00:37

San Francisco, CA.- SFMOMA is pleased to present "Artists in Dialogue: Andrew Schoultz and Paul Klee", on view at the museum from August 13th through January 8th 2012. Curated by John Zarobell, this exhibition creates a visual dialogue across a century, drawings by contemporary Bay Area artist Andrew Schoultz respond to the inventive works of Swiss-born Modernist Paul Klee, which are featured on an ongoing basis in SFMOMA's Djerassi Gallery. Schoultz worked with Zarobell to choose 19 pieces from the MOMA’s 200-something large Klee collection, then produced ten of his own drawings in response.

Paul Klee (1879–1940) has long been revered as one of the most original and inventive modern artists. Born in Switzerland, Klee made his name in Germany, where he was associated with the Blaue Reiter group and became an influential instructor in the Bauhaus. A diverse array of work by Klee, primarily from the acclaimed Djerassi Collection, are always on view at SFMOMA. Starting August 13, the exhibition will feature drawings by San Francisco artist Andrew Schoultz presented in dialogue with the works on paper by Klee that inspired them.

This exhibition pairs the work of two artists living a century apart: Swiss-born modernist Paul Klee (1879-1940) and San Francisco-based contemporary artist Andrew Schoultz (Born 1975). Klee's idiosyncratic and inventive practice has inspired many subsequent generations, from his students at the Bauhaus to mid-century Abstract Expressionists to a range of artists today. His works, on paper, often created as series of experiments in color and form, yielded mutifarious results that opened up the artistic process to innovation. Among other strategies, Klee pioneered many unprecedented combination sof tecniques, such as brushing, spraying, tracing and scraping, sometimes all in a single piece. Schoultz's drawings share with Klee's a commitment to two fundamental principles: the production of metaphor through imagery that is at once abstract and figurative, and the idea that art must in some way draw its relevance from the world the artist inhabits.


The examples shown in this exhibition extend visual symbols explored in Schoulz's earlier works into new territory inspired by Klee's imagery and practice. He uses motifs common in Klee's art, such as horses and cities, as well as specific techniques such as arrangements of parallel lines, the use of sprayed ink to produce an even gray tone, and the development of forms from dense linear hatching.

For this exhibition Schoultz made a group of drawings that respond directly to SFMOMA's Klee holdings, which are presented on an ongoing basis in this gallery. The pairing highlights the continuity of the creative process by considering one artist's means of coming to terms with the art of the past. Says Andrew, “The result, theoretically, is that the works I created would be in dialogue with the works of Klee and perhaps viewing the works side-by-side would create some kind of a new entry point and conversation for a viewer about both of our works. Ideally, it would be awesome for someone to see my work differently next to his, and his work differently next to mine.”

Founded in 1935, SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast devoted to modern and contemporary art. From the outset, the museum has championed the most innovative and challenging art of its time, and it continues to exhibit and collect work by both modern masters and younger, less-established artists. They always have a dynamic schedule of thought-provoking exhibitions on view, including special exhibitions and changing presentations from our collection of more than 27,000 artworks, photographs, and design objects. Audio guides, docent tours, video screenings, interactive kiosks, and public programs offer opportunities to learn more about modern art. Located just a short walk from downtown San Francisco, the landmark building features a soaring atrium topped by our signature turret and oculus skylight. The MuseumStore offers the West Coast's finest selection of modern and contemporary art books, as well as exceptional design objects, furniture, jewelry, and children's products. Meanwhile, the cafe serves gourmet fare in a light-filled space with indoor and outdoor seating.

SFMOMA's internationally recognized collection of modern and contemporary art includes more than 27,000 works and continues to grow. With strong holdings in photography, painting and sculpture, architecture and design, and media arts, the museum strives to present key examples of Modernism as well as more recent works that reflect a variety of artistic developments occurring regionally, nationally, and around the world. Each year, in addition to organizing ongoing installations of permanent collection works, its curators develop a variety of collection-based presentations to complement the special traveling exhibitions hosted by the museum. Including both modern art masterworks and glimpses of contemporary art in the making, the permanent collection contributes to SFMOMA's standing as a dynamic art center where visitors can learn, reflect, and be inspired. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.sfmoma.org

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