|
IMPORTANCE OF SHAPE
Here are some of Kandinsky’s thoughts on the use of shape.
The point is the most concise form, but according to its placement on the basic plane it will take a different ‘tonality’. It can be alone and isolated or on the opposite put in resonance with other points or with lines.
The line is the product of a force. It is a point on which a living force has been applied in a given direction. The horizontal line corresponds to the ground on which man rests and moves, to flatness. It possesses a dark and cold affective tonality similar with black or blue, while the vertical line corresponds to height which offers no support. It possesses a luminous and warm tonality close to white and yellow. A diagonal possesses by consequence a more or less warm or cold tonality according to its inclination according to the horizontal and to the vertical.
A force which deploys itself without obstacle as the one which produces a straight line corresponds to lyricism, while several forces which confront or ‘annoy’ each other form a drama. The angle formed by the angular line possesses an ‘inner sonority’ which is warm and close to yellow for an acute angle (triangle), cold and similar to blue for an obtuse angle (by which Kandinsky means a curved line leading to formation of a circle) and similar to red for a right angle (square).
As for Phase Two, a class discussion session should lead to completing this table. Examples of student's work can be found here -
Shape |
Possible Instrument/Synth Sound/Processed Sound |
|
|
Circle |
|
|
|
Wavy lines |
|
|
|
Horizontal lines |
|
|
|
---- continue --- |
---- continue --- |
Things now start to get more complex, because we now have to consider colour and shape together. The shape and colour may be in ‘agreement’ (e.g. a ‘warm’ colour with a warm’ shape – yellow triangle) or there may be an element of conflict to a greater or lesser degree. This should generate some interesting discussion as to how these situations might be interpreted musically.
For instance, consider the three circles towards the top right of the painting. Their respective colours (green, orange and black) will lead to different interpretations for the same basic shape.
It is important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers here – a range of interpretations and responses can be equally valid. The idea is to provoke interesting discussion which will shape and inform subsequent musical ideas.
Importance of position ...
|
