Contrasting sounds 1924

Editor: Here we have Kandinsky's "Contrasting Sounds," painted in 1924, an oil on canvas. At first glance, the work feels almost musical, with all these shapes and lines creating different rhythms and harmonies, but I wonder, how do we begin to interpret a piece like this? What do you see in this work? Art Historian: My attention is immediately drawn to the interplay between geometric forms. Note the arrangement of circles, triangles, and squares, their calculated juxtaposition within the picture plane. Observe the contrast in colors; how the cool lavender interacts with warmer tones, creating a visual tension. Editor: It is visually busy. Do you think Kandinsky had specific ideas of what these shapes might represent, or were they mostly compositional choices? Art Historian: I suspect Kandinsky was focused on the syntax, not the semantics, of forms. Notice how he used contrasting sounds within and around the lines. In short, what semiotic function is assigned to any symbol will vary from artwork to artwork; thus, it is a more sound practice to examine only how the artistic elements relate to one another to affect meaning. What sort of a perspective do you gain when we apply that analysis? Editor: Okay, focusing on just the shapes, the large black circle at the top juxtaposed with the checkerboard feels like two distinct focal points, competing for my attention. This, along with other features, may contribute to the overall dynamism. Thanks. That’s a whole different perspective from what I considered at the beginning. Art Historian: Indeed. We can move beyond subjective feelings by applying rigor, by isolating and decoding the structure inherent within the art.