I must start off by saying I’m not the typical world traveler. I have friends that left for Europe after graduation, I spent a weekend in Woodson, TX (population 183) after graduation.

The OJAC has in its collection a painting by Paul Klee. We were asked to lend that piece to the Tate Modern in London for a Klee Exhibition. During a Board meeting of the OJAC, I casually mentioned that if the Klee was invited, that we ought to also be invited to the opening of the exhibition. To my surprise, most of the Board agreed, and we set out to London for the exhibition and a grand tour.

A couple of years later, the OJAC was invited to send the same work to Munich for another exhibition of Paul Klee’s work. Upon that invitation, once again the Board decided that not only would we send the Klee piece, but that we would certainly need to accompany the art for the opening.

With commitments from fellow travelers, we began to formulate our trip. As the date of travel arrived, our delegation left Texas for Germany. It was amazing to see a country that was devastated by the war in the 1940s with a majority of the historical buildings and artifacts destroyed that had not only been rebuilt, but had been restored in the same architectural style of history as when they were originally constructed.

Upon arrival, we were invited to numerous luncheons and dinners, and were treated as revered guests due to the fact that we are from Texas. Of course, many times the question came up—do you know John Wayne? I always answered with, “although I didn’t personally know John Wayne, I do know Dean Smith who was the stuntman for all of John Wayne’s movies.” That statement usually got me admiration and awe. The Klee exhibition was marvelous. We were able to see Klee’s life laid out and to see the progression of his art starting in his young life, and how the politics of the 1920s and 1930s influenced him and his art.

I am also the least educated art lover, but after gazing at a piece and having it explained to me, then it becomes alive in my brain. Therefore, that explains my love for the piece by Klee titled Der Weg ins Blaue (The Path into Blue) created in 1934. It is a circle in a sea of blue.

Upon explanation of not only the painting but his works, I finally understood the significance of the symbolism that his brush instilled upon the canvas. My favorite explanation of this Klee is, “the blue circle appears as a celestial body, suggesting a longing for the limitless and the divine.” Wow—the painting and the suggestion then become real and very understandable.

 

Steve Waller

OJAC Board Chair