Concerning the Spiritual in Art

Concerning the Spiritual in Art

3.81 of 5 stars 3.81  ·  rating details  ·  7,226 ratings  ·  98 reviews
Pioneering work by the great modernist painter, considered by many to be the father of abstract art and a leader in the movement to free art from traditional bonds. Kandinsky's provocative thoughts on color theory and the nature of art. Analysis of Picasso, Matisse, and earlier masters. 12 illustrations.
Paperback, 80 pages
Published June 1st 1977 by Dover Publications (first published 1911)
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Matt
I hit my artistic peak with my rendering of my uncle’s Conan the Barbarian upper arm tattoo (complete with blood splatter) when I was eight. Truly appreciating art always seemed like the province of finer souls. A secret protected on par with gypsy divination and Shamrock shakes. I guess I always thought art was beyond words. Kandinsky, in his brief book, proves otherwise. Incredibly lucid and articulate, Kandinsky leads the reader to move past an intellectual appreciation of art:
The spectator i
...more
Ben
Kandinsky’s manifesto calls for the visionaries of the art world, unable to be appreciated in their own time, to lead the progression of mankind from the material dependence on nature towards the inner depths of the soul. But these visionaries are oblivious to any awareness of this; they simply create art, almost unconsciously. The manifesto is for those who are able to understand, lower than the visionaries, but higher than the rest. These are the people who fear for what art is, what it may be...more
Laura Cowan
Stunning in its foresight. This book soothed some of the frustration I have developed with people's inability to understand what I am trying to do with my writing, not necessarily due to its failure to convey its inner purpose (though of course there is some of that) but rather due to some people's inability to think for themselves and get past buzzwords to really explore the nature of things with me. Kandinsky really lays out the structure of spiritual development and the ways that artists stan...more
Ben
This is a fantastic book. Kandinsky's ideas on art and its ultimate goal are nothing short of inspirational.
No matter what area of art you enjoy, whether it be music, painting or even writing; this book is completely relevant. He is an artist who is completely "in tune" with all aspects of creativity. His way of explaining, though quite poetic and grandoise at times, is very clear to read and understand. He's not just a great painter, but a captivating writer who really has a way with words. Th...more
P. Timothy
I read this in anticipation of possibly leading a class on Spirituality and Art...and as a primer of sorts on the early thoughts about the connection between Spirituality and the Arts, especially connected with Modern art into abstraction. Some of his thoughts are brilliian and prescient; some really are parallel to Dewey, James and the like philosophers, along with Dr. Albert Barnes, and some of it comes off as purely bunkish guesses...but that is the issue with ground-breaking writing and thou...more
Zachary
Whacked out theory about shapes favoring specific colors, colors and shapes having specific meaning (outside the painting) and a lot of references to music, which is appropriate and helps back him up as it can be wordless and completely abstract yet beautiful. I think he is trying to quantify elements of visual art and make them them key, note, tempo, etc. It's interesting to read his ides and see how they are applied in his paintings but it does not have the universal significance he seems to h...more
Bill
In some ways I enjoyed the two rather lengthy introductions to the book (not by Kandinsky himself) -- which put his career and ideas in a historical perspective -- more than the book itself. I read the following review from an Amazon reader. I agree with most of it, and he brings out some of the more important points Kandinsky offers in his book. I especially like this insight from the reviewer: "His spirituality is not an incarnational one, where the Spirit interpenetrates and quickens matter,...more
M.P. Nicholaou
Kandinsky was a master of his Art, there is no doubt in my mind of that. He is also an accomplished writer, who expresses his theory of Art very well. However, he is trying to put into words a visual medium and I'm not sure that can work. It is very nearly impossible to express the visual language into the literary. Forgive me using an old cliché, "a picture paints a thousand words" that comes to mind and is very apt for this.

Just as it is virtually impossible to describe how art works in words...more
Ellis
Picked this short treatise up used for cheap. Kandinsky has a lot of very interesting ideas about the relation of art and music and poetry, with some discussion of social status/interpersonal relationships (just a dash). He is a modernist through and through. The introduction is enough to get you excited to read it and I just love his description about what art is and ought to be. Dense and could be a better translation, I think. Takes some concentration to understand it all and follow the metap...more
Michelle
I'm finally getting around to reading Wassily Kandinsky's Concerning the Spiritual in Art. In it, the artist explains his plans for the ascent of spiritually fulfilling and expressive art that surpasses mere replication of natural form. This is not to say that Kandinsky is in favor of pure abstraction. He faults cubism as too intellectual and spiritually lacking, as opposed to inspired abstractions.
I most enjoyed his breakdown of color theory, setting antitheses of white and black (obvi), yellow...more
Ridgely
What saves this book is superlative phrase-turning and humor, intended or otherwise. If you've ever been tempted to bronze your subjective aesthetic and mount it in the museum between philosophy and science, this will be there to remind you how nearly impossible it is to pull off. Kandinsky couldn't do it and neither can you. I mean he sets forth to launch a theory of color analogized to harmonics, but what really comes through is an abiding disdain for yellow, coupled with a love letter to blue...more
Michael Franklin
kandinsky's respondeo ut the world of art, in his time, to the past, and for the future of art is widely considered one of the greatest documents on art by an artist. sure, i'll accept that. however, i believe this is more of an assault on the condition of the human spirit than a treatise on the state of art.

kandinsky reiterates, many times, his disgust for the broad acceptance of and reverence towards "stagnate art". as an artist himself, he is quite aware of the vast differences between what t...more
Roger
Apr 24, 2008 Roger added it Recommends it for: artists
Kandinski's path from object-oriented art to the abstract is one which he begins to see an underlying spirituality to the shapes and color beneath the hills, buildings, and humanity he has captured on his canvas. In time the background is brought forward and fused into the foreground. He seeks a higher plain to effect the onlooker. His desire is to "send light into the darkness of men's hearts" quote by Schumann.

It is not "art for art's sake". What drives one to create great art should not merel...more
Hareton Linton
ძალიან საინტერესო ნაშრომია, შთაბეჭდილებებით სავსე ვარ.

"ღია ლურჯი ფლეიტას ჰგავს, მუქი ჩელოს, კიდევ უფრო მუქი კონტრაბასის არაჩვეულებრივ ჟღერას; უფრო ღრმა, საზეიმო ფორმაში ლურჯის ჟღერადობა ორღანისას შეიძლება შევადაროთ".

"ხელოვნებაში თეორია არასდროს უსწრებს პრაქტიკას, არამედ პირიქით".

"არანაირი "უნდა" არ არსებობს ხელოვნებაში, რომელიც მუდამ თავისუფალია. ხელოვნება გაურბის "უნდას"-ს, როგორც დღე გაურბის ღამეს".

მოკლედ, ესეც წიგნის ჩემი მიმოხილვა:
http://popularpopcorn.blogspot.com/20...

Cameron
A powerful, lucid manifesto by Kandinsky, the famous Russian Expressionist, calling for the artist to proceed inward to cultivate the abstract expressions of the inner spirit and away from material representation. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that in addition to his obvious mastery as a painter, Kandinsky was also an accomplished and logical writer.

"The artist must have something to say, for mastery over form is not his goal but rather the adapting of form to its inner meaning"
Brandon
The first section is an inspiring interpretation of invention, experimentation and critical progress in aesthetics. Uses his contemporaries as examples on specific points, but does't limit the call to arms for spiritual revolution to his particular place in art history. Just as interesting a work of religious writing as it is an essay on abstraction in art. Criticized for throwing convention out the window without offering sufficient definition of the new direction he seems to be talking about,...more
Matt C
Short, easy read. Some interesting notes on Kandinsky's nontraditional color theory. High entertainment value due to Kandinsky's vocal disdain for modern and decorative art - even though the book was written in the early 20th century, its criticism of art trends are somehow still relevant. I'm docking it 1 star because most of the illustrations, especially the ones illustrating color theory, are reproduced in black and white.
Lamadia
This is an easy to read study on the spiritual in art. It is a call for artists to always infuse their work with the spiritual. Kandinsky sets out that artists have duties in this world and that they shouldn't be taken lightly. It was much easier to read than I thought it would be because of the wonderful turns of phrase and slight humor. It doesn't read like most philosophy that sounds like someone was playing the word jumble.
Kevin Brown
I chose to read this book, as I'm looking for books by artists (of any genre, for lack of a better word) to help me think about poetry. I re-read, then taught, Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet, so I'm looking for more books like that one. This one didn't do that for me, as it was much too technical in the use of color and form and much too abstract in the way of German neo-Romantics. There were a few quotes that were interesting, but not many.
Jean
Kandinsky was sometimes unclear with his ideas, and seemed to go around in circles. The book demanded close attention to sieve through his incoherent ideas. That being said, there are many gems in his writings, which made it worth reading and understanding. He has very interesting ideas about the relationship between color, music, and geometry, as well as the integration of the arts. Part I of the book dull, but it picks up significantly in part II. It's worth reading.
David
A professional artist/teacher friend of mine gave me a copy of Kandinsky's book at a recent workshop she was leading. Consider the long period of the 20th Century during which Kandinsky practiced what he preached as a "Spiritual Revolution" in art. Spiritual Revolution was a popular theme throughout the century. A Baha'i pamphlet with that title was published in the 1970's. Being an activist artist in that revolution now is as important as ever.
Pam
Mar 28, 2012 Pam added it
Shelves: art
I absolutely LOVE art. I like it a bit challenging not just the normal wildly popular stuff, BUT I just can't read about it. I try, but most of the writing seems overly analytical, not visual or emotional like the subject. I have tried to read this book...I have actually read this book, but it doesn't seem to sink in... I guess I will just keep loving art and trying to read about it.
Richard Heys
A very interesting book, very influential throughout the twentieth century. I found it rather esoteric, fascinating but polemic. I wanted a gloss on many words and meanings. Still an invaluable resource, if rather narrow in its historical relevance. I found many aspects of the book rewarding and inspiring. I draw on the material for my teaching in the history of art and thought.
Apryl Anderson
Kandinsky's 'Movement of the Triangle' was precisely the visual I needed to understand this process of the collective conscience going forward, yet circling eternal revelations. Also, I agree with his discussion of the related arts, and I'm surprised that he didn't mention the 'Musica universalis'. As for the color theory, I need to spend some time with that...
C. Vau
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Sherry
If you're interested in expression, inspiration, and the thought processes of an artist, you'll enjoy this. Kandinsky gets pretty metaphorical, but he had a lot to say. Considering this was written early in the 20th century, there is still a lot to hear.
Sian
Craaaaazy shit, but also totally brilliant.

Kandinsky had this condition called synesthesia where he could like, feel and hear colors and all his senses were mixed up. While it is a serious medical condition, it makes for some incredible writing.
Christina
I had high hopes but was disappointed in how boring and un-moving this book was. I have never been a huge Kandinsky fan, but as an art lover, appreciate his work. I keep moving from chapter to chapter, waiting to be inspired... but nothing. Boo!
Sally Whitman
Essential read - a primary source - for anyone wanting to understand art by Kandinsky or other artists associated with The Blue Rider art movement. Get to know the philosophical underpinnings of the advent of non-objective abstraction.
Monique
Nov 27, 2010 Monique rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: art
I found myself focusing more on Kandinskys metaphorical style of writing than the message he was trying to portray. Fascinating glimpses on color theory and the spiritual art connection. I may read again when I have more time to reflect.
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Concerning the Spiritual in Art (Hardcover)
معنویت در هنر (Paperback)
Lo spirituale nell'arte (Paperback)
Du Spirituel Dans L'art Et Dans La Peinture En Particulier
Concerning The Spiritual In Art (Paperback)

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Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky was a Russian painter, and Art theorist. He is credited with painting the first modern abstract works.
Born in Moscow, Kandinsky spent his childhood in Odessa. He enrolled at the University of Moscow and chose to study law and economics. Quite successful in his profession—he was offered a professorship (chair of Roman Law) at the University of Dorpat—he started painti...more
More about Wassily Kandinsky...
Point and Line to Plane Sounds The Blaue Reiter Almanac Kandinsky: [The Pioneer Of Abstract Art   His Life In Paintings] Arnold Schoenberg-Wassily Kandinsky: Letters, Pictures and Documents

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“Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.” 53 people liked it
“With cold eyes and indifferent mind the spectators regard the work. Connoissers admire the "skill" (as one admires a tightrope walker), enjoy the "quality of painting" (as one enjoys a pasty). But hungry souls go hungry away. The vulgar herd stroll through the rooms and pronounce the pictures "nice" or "splendid." Those who could speak have said nothing, those who could hear have heard nothing.” 6 people liked it
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