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.
We often forget that everything we see, animate or inanimate, is a visual manifestation of the work of our invisible God. We have become so accustomed to trees, mountains, sky, air, water, flowers, animals, vegetables and people that we no longer see them for what they are - God's work.
Prejudice is a chain, it can hold you. If you prejudice, you can't move, you keep prejudice for years. Never get nowhere with that.
Fear Allah, for that is fortune; indifference to Allah is misfortune.
No one β¦ can entirely step out of his time, that despite his keenness of vision his thinking is in many ways bound to be influenced by the mentality of his time
Mankind will endure when the world appreciates the logic of diversity.
In fact, death seems to have been a rather late invention in evolution. One can go a long way in evolution before encountering an authentic corpse.
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