QuoteProject
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.
Wassily Kandinsky
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Kandinsky suggests that colors evoke specific auditory sensations, linking visual and auditory experiences in a profound way.

In this quote, Wassily Kandinsky emphasizes the strong connection between colors and sounds, noting that people commonly associate certain colors with particular musical notes. For instance, bright yellow is likely to be associated with deeper tones while darker hues like 'dark lake' would resonate with higher pitches, illustrating the unique and personal nature of sensory perceptions in understanding art.

Themes

ColorSoundArtPerceptionEmotion

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a presentation about synesthesia in art.

More from Wassily Kandinsky

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.
Wassily KandinskyRead
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.
Wassily KandinskyRead
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.
Wassily KandinskyRead
The more abstract is form, the more clear and direct its appeal.
Wassily KandinskyRead
All methods are sacred if they are internally necessary. All methods are sins if they are not justified by internal necessity.
Wassily KandinskyRead
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.
Wassily KandinskyRead

Similar quotes

When you go to an art museum, the thing you're least likely to encounter is a picture of a black person. When it comes to ideas about art and about beauty, the black figure is absent.
Kerry James MarshallRead
A lot of people don't realize, when you are acting in a martial arts film, you're not just performing martial arts. You're not just performing martial arts. You're actually acting as much as any other actor.
Donnie YenRead
A man paints with his brains and not with his hands.
MichelangeloRead
To finish is sadness to a writer β€” a little death. He puts the last word down and it is done. But it isn't really done. The story goes on and leaves the writer behind, for no story is ever done.
John SteinbeckRead
Books are seldom useful unless they are also beautiful.
John GreenRead
The poets who have written the best poems about war seem to be the poets whose countries have experienced an invasion or vicious dictatorships.
Billy CollinsRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.