Kandinsky: The artist who can hear the sounds of shapes and colors

dancing with scarves

Dancing to Wagner's Longhegrin

Artists are not only inspired visually by their surroundings.  One artist in particular was inspired by the sound/music he hears.  Wassily Kandinsky, was an artist known for his abstract pictures and colourful shapes.  He also was inspired by music like the operas, compositions of Wagner such as the Longhegrin and other classical pieces. For him music can inspire ones thoughts and evokes images in the listener's minds and emotions.  Certain sounds can also trigger different memories, ones which we associate these sounds to.
His paintings show the unison of various colors, shapes and lines which may not go together.  He explained that the bold colors and sharp lines create a certain unity which may only be interpreted by the person observing his painting.
Kandinsky's "Composition" piece
the first abstract picrure ever painted

We used Kandinsky's "Compositions" pieces to look at lines and shapes.  First, the children played eye spy game to carefully look at and distinguish each shape and line.  Then we practiced drawing them in the air, then on to the paper.  They also listened and danced to Wagner's music.  We talked about what Kandinsky might be feeling as he was listening to it.  Most of them thought of feeling sad and afraid as the music was very slow and low at the same time.  As the music became louder the children felt like moving faster with the beat.
After the dance we painted with the music.  The children were very thoughtful of how they were going to paint like Kandinsky.  How wonderful it was to see them carefully trace their lines and shapes as the music played.

painting to music of Wagner

Painting lines and shapes while listening to "Longhegrin"

painting to music of Wagner

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