“Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.”
Wassily Kandinsky (December 4, 1866 – December 13, 1944) Russian painter and art theorist, recognized as painting the first purely abstract works. He was greatly influenced by an exhibit of Claude Monet’s paintings, especially the impressionistic style of “Haystacks.” Looking back, he recalled his experience in these words:
“That it was a haystack the catalogue informed me. I could not recognize it. This non-recognition was painful to me. I considered that the painter had no right to paint indistinctly. I dully felt that the object of the painting was missing. And I noticed with surprise and confusion that the picture not only gripped me, but impressed itself ineradicably on my memory. Painting took on a fairy-tale power and splendour.”
ChasingART 
Dear Rebecca,
thank you for remembering Kandinsky. He was not only a great artist but also quite a spiritual thinker. He introduced Paul Klee, Itten and Moholy-Nagy to Rudolf Steiner`s work. And his two books are worthwhile reading. You see, I love Kandinsky very much – and the Bauhaus.
Lots of love from far over the big waters
Klausbernd
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Thank you so much for your insightful comments. I especially appreciate reading about the connections to other artists. BTW, I just placed a hold, at the Vancouver Public Library, on a DVD that highlighted Kandinsky’s Paintings at a major retrospective at the Paris Centre Pompidou. Can hardly wait to see it!!! Hugs and hugs and more hugs to the dynamic quartet!
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Dear Clanmother,
THANK YOU!
We travelled to the Bauhaus and Kandinsky`s house in Dessau/Eastern Germany four years ago. It`s amazing but the Bauhaus with it`s great influence of Kandinsky is still modern design. A well done Bauhaus exhibition you can see in Weimar/Eastern Germany as well, that`s where the Bauhaus started. Immediately you notice Kandinsky`s influence.
Have a happy Sunday.
Big HUGS from
the Fabulous Four 😉
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That must have been an extraordinary trip! I just went on-line the the “bauhaus-online.de. A wonderful resource – thank you for the recommendation. And thank you for the hugs from the Fabulous Four!! 🙂 There are some coming back your way!!
http://bauhaus-online.de/en/atlas/personen/wassily-kandinsky
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THANK YOU
🙂
HUGS
Klausbernd
By the way I blogged about a trip with Dina to the Bauhaus/Weimar (with pics)
http://kbvollmarblog.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/bauhaus-weimar/
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Thank you, Klausbernd! This is a remarkable post and the comments that follow add so much to my understanding. I have so much to learn yet – and I’m loving every minute. I highly recommend this post.
http://kbvollmarblog.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/bauhaus-weimar/
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Dear Rebecca,
thank you very much 🙂
Well, you see I am a fan of Bauhaus.
With a big Hug
Klausberbd
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And a big hug coming back!! 🙂
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I like the concept that the artist causes vibrations in the soul. So many of the quotations you give us further my definition of what it means to be an artist or how we define art: help me express what I feel about art. I love that about your blogs.
Hope you’re having a lovely start to the month of December, Rebecca!
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Thank you so much!! A few years ago, I attended an opening at a art gallery. It was one of those “ah ha” moments for me – that was when I realized that I really didn’t know how artistic expression found itself into our lives. It was there in visual form, the emotional connection was strong – yet, I intuitively knew that I had to understand the artist to fully appreciate their work. The tipping point was in May 2009 when I visited the the fifth floor of the Musée d’Orsay. It was a quiet weekday morning so I had the Impressionist Painters all to myself. Ever since that time, I have literally been “chasing art.”
Your comments are very much appreciated. 🙂
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I enjoyed looking at some of his other paintings. I love Monet too.
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You and me both! I was looking through quotes by Wassily Kandinsky – the one that captured my attention was: “Everything starts from a dot.” I loved the simplicity of that statement.
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Oh what a stunning photo! Amazing work! I didn’t realize Kandinsky’s life was so short! He accomplished so much!
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I agree – his life was too short! What a creative mind; a gift to our world….
As for the photo, I am learning to use all these amazing apps via iPhone! There are many creative and talented people among us! 🙂
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