Monographic
The collection presentation is given over exclusively to the works of Paul Klee, with the aim of highlighting the different mood layers in his oeuvre. For this purpose artistic themes are to be considered in a chronologically overlapping context, with selected groups of works illustrating Klee’s phases of artistic development.

Interdisciplinary
The collection presentation aims to convey the complexity of Paul Klee’s interdisciplinary ideas. His work takes an in-depth look at aspects of language, theatre, and music; it addresses such issues as architecture, technology, contemporary history and the history of creation, and engages with concepts of natural science, philosophy and psychology. The findings Klee derived from his theoretical and didactic writings were subsequently incorporated in his art.

Individual works as well as groups and sequences of works are to be featured in the collection presentation to promote an understanding of Klee’s multilayered work and provide a way in to his artistic ideas.

Topographic
The architectural and design layout used for the collection presentation conveys a pictorial and linguistic metaphor in Paul Klee’s artistic ideas: Based on Klee’s understanding of topography the collection highlights main avenues and secondary routes, central areas and marginal areas, networked areas and isolated areas, movement and counter-movement, dynamic states and static states, the orderly and the enigmatic, thus establishing a dialogue.

Architectural
Both the interior architecture of the location and the presentation of Klee’s work are shaped by the fundamental notion of openness, directly correlating the collection presentation and the architecture conceived by Renzo Piano for the Centre.

The backdrop-like design of the exhibition walls serve to create open, transparent units, allowing Paul Klee’s exhibited works to be viewed both close-up and from a distance. The spatial concept itself is based on a central axis fanning out almost symmetrically into the collection from the room’s entrance, to assume a central position at its heart.

Dramaturgical
The backdrop-like spatial concept with its open design is intended as a platform for a dramatically staged presentation of Paul Klee’s artistic work and its context.

Different lighting techniques draw the eye to individual theme areas within the room. In areas where certain works are to be emphasised for instance, dimmed, indirect lighting is used in closeted zones for the highly light-sensitive works on paper.

Rota-based
Smaller zones in the side areas will permit a more intimate presentation of Paul Klee’s sensitive drawings and graphic work. Content considerations and restoration requirements will entail a new concept and variation of the presentation units on a six monthly basis. The rota principle will make it possible to show to the public individual works and groups of works that are largely unknown.

With the rota-based exhibition of various elements the overall character of the collection’s presentation achieves a pulsating effect, a constantly renewed dimension.

Integration of the literary work
Besides focusing on the artistic output the collection presentation also incorporates Paul Klee’s linguistic skills and literary work. Through co-operation with artists and graphic artists and in a direct reference to the works on show, text excerpts, aphorisms, phrases and poetic passages by Paul Klee and contemporary views of Paul Klee (Rémy Zaugg) will be featured on the side walls, as “wall paintings” so to speak, to provide an additional incentive for a more in-depth look at Paul Klee.

Objective
This fresh and in part unusual look at Paul Klee highlights the unbroken topicality of the artist himself, and provides the basis for a reception and mediation of his art defined by the here and now.