Our epoch is a time of tragic collision between matter and spirit and of the downfall of the purely material world view.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the conflict between physical existence and spiritual understanding in modern society.
Wassily Kandinsky's statement highlights a significant struggle in contemporary times, where a clash between materialism and spirituality occurs. He suggests that as society evolves, there is a growing recognition of the limitations of a purely materialistic worldview, indicating that humanity must seek to balance physical needs with spiritual fulfillment.
In practice
In a discussion about the importance of spirituality in today's materialistic world, this quote can be used to highlight the ongoing conflict.
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.
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.
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.
The alienation of man thus appeared as the fundamental evil of capitalist society.
Ours is a multi-religious country, a multi-lingual country; we have many different modes of worship. We believe in peaceful and harmonious co-existence.
Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever.
Human life and objects and trees vibrate with mysterious meanings, which can be deciphered like cuneiform writing. There exists a meaning, hidden from day to day, but accessible in moments of greatest attentiveness, in those moments when consciousness loves the world.
In the country of the blind the one eyed man is king.
I turn and turn in my cell like a fly that doesn't know where to die.
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