Zentrum Paul Klee Bern Founded by Maurice E. and Martha Müller and the heirs of Paul Klee
Exhibitions 16.09.21 – 09.01.22

max bill global

Max Bill – painter, sculptor, architect, designer, graphic designer, and typographer but also a theorist, collector, curator, publicist, teacher, politician, and activist. The formative influence of his work on mid-twentieth century art and design extended far beyond Switzerland.

In terms of Bauhaus ideas he wanted to make a contribution to a better society through his work. The exhibition is devoted to his diverse body of work: aside from paintings and sculptures, it also includes designs for posters, fonts and furniture. For the first time the exhibition addresses Bill’s global network. As a major theorist and co-founder of Concrete Art he sought dialogue with artists from Europe, the USA and Latin America. These artists include Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Wassily Kandinsky, Georges Vantongerloo, Josef Albers, Tomas Maldonado, Maria Vieira and many others.

Bill was a leading proponent of Concrete art. Before his thirtieth birthday, he became one of its most significant theorists, remaining a tireless advocate of the movement for decades. Bill organized exhibitions, authored numerous texts on Concrete art, and exchanged ideas with likeminded colleagues around the world. At the same time, he set standards for design in the graphic arts, product design, and architecture.

In his highly original and multifaceted design practice, Bill synthesized various disciplines and artistic movements. He built a worldwide network of contacts and was committed to an international artistic dialogue throughout his life.

We are grateful to the max bill georges vantongerloo max bill foundation for its generous support and extend special thanks to Dr. Angela Thomas Schmid and Erich Schmid.

Szenografie: ZMIK, Basel

Grafik: Büro Berrel Gschwind