Critique

Composition VIII by Wassily Kandisky

This piece is completely abstract using only shapes, lines, and colors to produce a historic artwork. The background is a dirty vanilla with a large two colored circle being the largest object in the entire frame. Completing the remaining empty space, variations of lines and shapes differing from colors and sizes surround the previously described circle.

The lines and shapes are constantly overlapping each other through out the picture. Each shape is usually repeated somewhere else in the artwork with a slight alteration. Each circle has some type of glow surrounding its edges with a contrasting color.

The message the artist was trying to convey was bold.  Color and shape choices being so out of norm to “talk” to the viewer’s soul. It inspires creativity and imaginative thoughts the way lyrics do in a song. In a time where artwork was expected to look realistic, Kandisky breaks the standard by producing the complete opposite. Yet, with this new idea it is possible to say that these basic shapes communicate more than the ideal portrait.

Despite all the wild color combinations, I would still consider this sophisticatedly aesthetic. It gives me a very mature and modern feel because of all the sleek strokes crafted on such a basic canvas. The craftsmanship is of high quality with the perfect amount of detail. It communicates the idea of thinking outside of the box and to let your mind wander freely.