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.
Interpretation
Art should express something deeper rather than just display technical skill.
This quote by Wassily Kandinsky emphasizes that the primary purpose of an artist is to convey a message or an emotion rather than merely showcasing their technical abilities in art. Kandinsky suggests that true mastery lies in the ability to adapt artistic forms to express the deeper meanings and truths that resonate within the soul of the artist.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of art in education, one might say, 'As Kandinsky puts it, the artist must have something to say.'
The true work of art is born from the 'artist': a mysterious, enigmatic, and mystical creation. It detaches itself from him, it acquires an autonomous life, becomes a personality, an independent subject, animated with a spiritual breath, the living subject of a real existence of being.
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.
The sound of colors is so definite that it would be hard to find anyone who would express bright yellow with bass notes or dark lake with treble.
The more abstract is form, the more clear and direct its appeal.
All methods are sacred if they are internally necessary. All methods are sins if they are not justified by internal necessity.
Every man who steeps himself in the spiritual possibilities of his heart is a valuable helper in the building of the spiritual pyramid which will someday reach to heaven.
Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.
For me, a page of good prose is where one hears the rain and the noise of battle. It has the power to give grief or universality that lends it a youthful beauty.
The artist and the photographer seek the mysteries and the adventure of experience in nature.
When I lock myself up to write, I cannot allow myself to think about the censor or the reviewer or anyone but my characters and their story!
In journalism, a fact is just a fact. But in fiction, you have to build your case. It has to be made, step by step.
You can write any time people will leave you alone and not interrupt you. Or rather you can if you will be ruthless enough about it. But the best writing is certainly when you are in love.
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