Castle and Sun 1928

Curator: Before us hangs Paul Klee's "Castle and Sun," a mixed-media artwork from 1928. Its current whereabouts are listed as a private collection. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the way it balances this almost childlike playfulness with something far more structured. The geometric forms are both comforting and a little unsettling against that solid, somewhat oppressive maroon background. Curator: Exactly. Klee was fascinated by the power of simple shapes. Note how he employs a limited palette – primarily reds, browns, and muted greens and blues – to construct this cityscape, this “castle.” The geometric patterning evokes a sense of architectural rigidity while remaining thoroughly abstract. Semiotically, the "castle" is less about building as representation, and more about pure shape relationships. Editor: Yes, but those colours, and the layering—it makes me think about textiles. You get this sense of patchwork, a history of labour, almost domestic. Was Klee thinking about the production of folk art? You sense a construction of disparate material coming together in a deliberate composition. The layering of media becomes key. Curator: An interesting connection. Although Klee employed abstraction and geometric forms to delve deeper into the essence of his subjects, to portray a more nuanced representation of reality through colour theory. Take for example how the fiery orb contrasts with the castle block grid. Is he portraying two diametrically opposed forces, or components in conversation? Editor: I'm particularly drawn to the materiality, this isn't just paint slapped on a canvas. There’s a textural richness and you begin to imagine the hands that worked on the composition. The interplay of geometry and tactile form— it speaks of a deliberate crafting process. Curator: It’s fascinating to observe how a close engagement with form leads us to consider these questions of the tactile quality within Klee’s abstracted visual space. Editor: For me, it’s all about tracing how these fundamental materials assemble in a socially and politically conscious way. Thanks for allowing me to bounce around a few ideas.