Wassily Kandinsky Flashcards
Artist Profile:
Wassily Kandinsky
Russian painter and art theorist
Generally credited as a pioneer of abstraction in western art.
EoA/PoD:
Composition VI
by Wassily Kandinsky
3 centres in the work:
1. On the left there is a **gentle, pink, slightly blurred centre with faint, uncertain lines. **
- On the right (slightly higher than the left centre) is a **rough, red-blue, somewhat dissonant centre with sharp, a little bit unkind, strong, very precise lines. **
- Between these two centres there is the third one (closer to the left centre) which can be recognized only gradually but that is a **major centre. **The pink and white colours foam in such a way that they seem to lie outside the canvas plane or some other ideal plane. Rather, they float in the air, and look like enfolded with steam.
Small forms of the painting demanded something producing a very simple and very wide effect at the same time (“largo”).
Long, solemn lines were used. These lines connect to heavy transverse lines running to them deliberately at the top of the painting, and enter into a direct conflict with them.
The solemn calm mood is violated by various blue spots giving an inner impression of warmth. The warm effect of the colour that is cold by nature strengthens the dramatic element but again it is done objectively and exaltedly.
Deep brown forms (especially on the top left) introduce an impacted note being expressed abstractedly that resembles an element of hopelessness.
Green and yellow colours enliven this state of mind giving it the missing activity.
To mitigate the impact of too dramatic lines or, in other words, to hide too intrusive dramatic element, Kandinsky let the whole fugue of pink spots of different shades play to the full. They endue great tumult with great peace, and give objectivity to the whole event.
EoA/PoD:
Dominant Curve
by Wassily Kandinsky
The pink, embryo-like structure is more textured than the rest of the mostly 2-D painting, setting it apart from the rest of the work without drawing too much attention to it.
Organic forms can be seen in the painting resembling microorganisms why add a sense of whimsy and dynamism to the work. This highlights Kandinsky’s long-time fascination with organic forms.
Geometric planes with thin black outline (uncommon in this work) resembling stairs. It plays with negative space as most of the work is filled with vibrant colours. This gives a break to the eyes, while not being too obvious. The stairs could represent ascending to a higher spiritual level.
Dynamic, flowing lines and bold, contrasting colours within an assortment of geometric and dynamic shapes create a sense of movement and energy.
The large, sprawling curve dominates the canvas. It is rendered in blue and is set against vibrant yellows and oranges.
Main Idea Expressed:
**Composition VI **
By Wassily Kandinsky
-Initial inspiration-> Old Testament story of The Flood and the New Testament story of The Resurrection (dissolved and transferred to the internal, purely pictorial, independent and objective existence)
-Communion between artist and viewer as being available to both the senses and the mind
-That colours each have their own vibrational frequency that can be expressed on canvas
-Geometric figures and their relationships e.g. circle is the most peaceful shape and represents the human soul
-All of these elements combine to form a tremendous disaster (FLOOD)+ absolute, independent warm song of praise, similar to the anthem of a new creation (BIRTH) following the disaster (DESTRUCTION).
Main Idea Expressed:
Dominant Curve
By Wassily Kandinsky
Optimistic vision of a peaceful future and hope for postwar rebirth and regeneration while combining his fascination with organic sciences, and experiments with themes of life, science, and spirituality.
