The Fine Art of Leisure

T he Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is into a little fun and games with its latest exhibition, “The Art of Play: Games and Amusements,” which begins Friday and continues through Dec. 2.

The exhibit takes a whimsical look at game playing and amusements in the arts over the centuries. Featured artists include Edouard Vuillard, Paul Klee and Rembrandt Van Rijn. All items in the exhibition have been culled from the museum’s permanent collections.

Michelle Deziel, curatorial assistant at the Norton Simon Museum, is co-curator of the exhibition with fellow assistant, Christine Knoke.

Deziel recently discussed “The Art of Play.”

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Question: How many special exhibits does the Norton Simon Museum mount during a given year?

Answer: We probably have three large exhibits and then probably three smaller ones like this one where we can focus on one subject. These exhibits primarily are drawn from works that are not on view at that time. However, if a concept warrants it, then we borrow a few objects from various galleries.

Q: How many pieces are in “The Art of Play”?

A: There are approximately 20 at this point. We have sculpture, prints and paintings. It is the whole gamut.

Q: Would you discuss the chess set from 1850s India?

A: That is one of the works that was on display in the permanent gallery. We just had to include it in an exhibition of games and amusement. This gives us a way to highlight works that are included in the permanent exhibit and bring them into a different context. So while it is typically displayed with works of a similar genre or time period, it’s being taken into a new context and looked at for what it is--a game.

The board is beautiful--it is wood inlaid with ivory. Then each of the individual chess pieces are people and elephants. People like to figure out the difference between the two sides because it’s very subtle. I think it ends up being that one side has mustaches and the other doesn’t.

Q: What games and amusements are depicted in the paintings and prints?

A: We have a Rembrandt. It is an etching called “The Card Player,” so it shows [a man] playing cards. Then we have an Indian opaque watercolor on paper that shows ladies with fireworks--little sparklers--which is a great print. Then we also have a Japanese print with a kite flying and an Indian print which features some court ladies watching a cock fight. We have a Paul Klee. He had done two pictures on a picture postcard in pencil and color pencil. It shows children playing cards and games. There is a wonderful scroll from Nepal. It shows two of the gods playing dice so it [depicts] games in a religious context.

Q: Is the Paul Klee the most contemporary piece in the exhibit?

A: Yes. It is from 1927.

Q: Have games and amusements been a common theme in art over the centuries?

A: Yes. Leisure is very important to all of us and artists, too. If you look at the Impressionists--it was their main subject.

Q: What seems amazing is that over the centuries games and amusements really haven’t changed.

A: I think that’s what is so wonderful about this exhibit. It’s so exciting and interesting to look at human behavior.

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“The Art of Play: Games and Amusement,” at the Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Aug. 3-Dec. 3. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, noon-6 p.m.; Friday, noon-9 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for seniors, Museum members, patrons age 18 and younger. Students with current I.D. are free. Call (626) 449-6840.