June 9 – August 11, 2013 A GATHERING TOGETHER OF HISTORY To walk through Michael Klein’s private collection is to take a journey through generations of artistic movements and styles, universal themes that represent the human condition, and narratives of humor, struggle, and life lessons. In Klein’s collection we may observe a passion for color as well as a profound respect for the intimacy of the most delicate drawing or the formalism of a finished masterwork. ENVISION: The Modern & Contemporary Art Collection of Michael Klein represents a public glimpse into a private collection of Modern and Contemporary Art for the first time – a collection that spans a century and several continents. This exhibition is but a core-sample, however, including works of art from the 1930s through the end of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century by local, regional, national, and international artists both living and since past. This slice of Klein’s collection spans the years specifically of his lifetime, as someone who was born into the “Baby Boomer” generation, thus the exhibit takes us from the 1930s to the present – a point at which we may still find him seeking out acquisitions to not one but three personal collections. In addition to his interest in Modern and Contemporary Art, Klein possesses a parallel and equally significant passion for rare antique Judaica, a collection he began when his parents returned home from a trip to Israel with a gift of several Havdalah spice boxes. Klein also possesses a
Image above: Ben Shahn, Prayer, 1941, gouache and ink on paper (Courtesy the Collection of Michael Klein; Photography by EG Schempf)
significant collection of Steuben Glass, which was inspired by a purchase he made from an aunt and uncle’s collection that he has since taken to a whole new level. (Both collections have been the subject of previous exhibitions at the Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art). The development of Klein’s interest in collecting fine art and antiques may be found in multiple influences. This interest begins, first and foremost, at home with his parents, family friends, and a childhood in which he was surrounded by art and collections. Eventually, this would be followed by his exposure to art in museums, commercial galleries, and auction houses around the world. Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan Law School, Klein returned home to join his family’s booming business, US Toy, which had been previously launched in 1953 and was on its way to becoming an international company. (He would eventually become a longtime CEO and President). He also brought with him a deepening
Image left: Michael Klein seated in his living room with a portion of his Modern and Contemporary Art Collection (Photography by KCJMCA)
Image left: Jared French, Citta, circa 1960’s, egg tempura, gesso on Masonite (Courtesy the Collection of Michael Klein; Photography by EG Schempf)
a specific maker and related family of artisans, and dates from within a 109-year production period, while in his Modern and Contemporary Art collection we may find a certain diversity of artistic styles. In Klein’s collection of Modern and Contemporary Art one may also find a number of unifying aspects: the collector’s effort to reestablish links between artists associated with each other during their lifetime; a focus primarily on painting, sculpture (mostly ceramic), and works on paper including drawings and prints; many American artists; genre subjects with an omnipresence of the figure (although there remain some wonderful examples of still-life and landscapes); an intense interest in color; a mastering of technique; and works of art that tell a story, albeit open-ended and sometimes up for interpretation.
interest in visual art from his exposure to the art scenes in Philadelphia, New York, and other destinations he visited along the East Coast during his college years. Klein recalls an early memory of his exposure to the edgier contemporary art of the second half of the 20th Century, when he saw a solo exhibition of works by Andy Warhol on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. He recalls remarking at the time, “Who would buy a big box of “Tide”? He would soon realize, however, that a dedicated collector is sometimes driven to seek out work by asking and answering just such a question for themselves. The impetus to collect is not always rational, sometimes emotional, and may become obsessive. No matter what the object of affection may be – fine china, model trains, tourist trinkets, vintage photographs, dolls, postage stamps, or fine art – many of us have the urge to collect. Whether we are motived by personal taste, family values, nostalgia, or the desire to provide stewardship and preservation of something we believe is important, our collections may serve to fulfill a creative process and means of expression just as the objects we collect represent their makers. Originating from and toward different trajectories, Klein’s collections may be characterized by traits that are both unique and similar as each of these motivations come into play. Many of the objects in Michael Klein’s Judaica collection date from the 19th Century, or older, with some early 20th Century exceptions and fewer still from the late 20th Century. (Some of the most recent examples have been included in this exhibition). In his Steuben Glass collection, Klein has narrowed his focus to
Image right: Marlin Rotach, Morning Market, 2010, watercolor on paper (Courtesy the Collection of Michael Klein; Photography by EG Schempf)
In the context of Klein’s home we may find a veritable democratization of art history – a suburban, ranch-style house that has been remodel, redesigned, and expanded to accommodate three ever-growing collections. In this environment we are likely to see artists from our local community share prominent space with artists from around the globe who have achieved great renown in their lifetime. Klein’s watchful eyes consider them all in equal measure, and through revealing his collection we may appreciate a portion of this great world that he continues to gather together and generously share with us. – Marcus Cain, Executive Director/Curator
June 9 – August 11, 2013 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5500 West 123rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66209 Ph: 913.266.8413 | Fx: 913.345.2611 | www.kcjmca.org
Established in 1991, the purpose of the Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art (KCJMCA) is to provide innovative art exhibitions and related programming to engage seniors and diverse audiences from all segments of our community to enrich lives and celebrate our common humanity through art. KCJMCA realizes its goal of connecting communities and generations through art in administering three programs: the Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom (a contemporary gallery housed within a continuum-of-care facility); ARTicipation (art therapy-based community arts activities for underserved audiences); and Museum Without Walls (an outreach partnership program that shares resources with other non-profits).
The Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art (KCJMCA) wishes to thank Michael Klein for his generous loan of artwork and support for this exhibition, and for his years of dedication to KCJMCA and for his continued service on the Board of Directors as a Past President and Honorary Board member. KCJMCA also wishes to thank fellow KCJMCA Board of Directors member Stephanie Finkelstein for assisting in the compiling of information and research on the artists and objects in this exhibition. KCJMCA would also like to acknowledge those who collectively support its efforts including Village Shalom staff, residents and their families, UrbanSuburban Patrons & Artists, Friends of KCJMCA Members and Board of Directors, the Norman & EIaine Polsky Family Foundation, Herb & Bonnie Buchbinder, Paul & Doris Flam, Michael Klein, the Francis Family Foundation, the Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation, Flo Harris Family Foundation, Menorah Women’s Foundation, Richard J. Stern Foundation, J-LEAD, and the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lynn Intrater, President • Lynn Schweig, Vice President Sylvia Augustus, Vice President • Peter Beren, Treasurer Lisa Theiss, Secretary • Herb Alder • Aimee Berstein • Jeffrey Chaikin Alan Edelman • Nicole Emanuel • Ginny Epsten • Stephanie Finkelstein Deborah Glassberg • Hanan Hammer • Ritchie Kaye • Eileen Kershenbaum James Martin • Merry Quackenbush • Les Rosenfeld • Irma Starr Jerome Tilzer • Sherman Titens • Shirley White
PAST PRESIDENTS
Saul Kass (Of Blessed Memory) . Michael Klein Regina Kort . Larry Meeker . Hugh Merrill
FOUNDERS Robert & Jacqueline Epsten Sybil & Norman (Of Blessed Memory) Kahn
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITA Eileen Garry
STAFF Marcus Cain, Executive Director/Curator Heather Lustfeldt, Program Coordinator/Curatorial Assistant Beti Weber Moskowitz, Development/Grant Writing
Front cover/header image: Stanton MacDonald Wright, Odon, 1966, oil on plywood (Courtesy the Collection of Michael Klein; Photography by EG Schempf)
Brochure design by Abby Rufkahr, 1535 Design
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Donations may be sent to 5500 West 123rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66209. KCJMCA membership, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities are always available.
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