Klänge Pl.16 1913

Kandinsky made this woodcut, ‘Klänge Pl.16,’ without a specific date, using a small set of colours and simple shapes to suggest a whole world. Look at how the colours create depth, with the dark blue on top suggesting the sky. It’s like seeing a dream unfold, right? The texture in this piece is super interesting. You can almost feel the grain of the wood, especially in the solid brown area. It’s so different from the smooth surfaces we often see today. I love how the orange shape sits above the horizon line, its solid blockiness making me think of a primitive form. The black frame makes you consider the negative space as much as the image itself. It reminds me of some of Joan Miró’s lithographs; he was also interested in the interplay between simple forms and abstraction. Ultimately, this piece is about leaving space for imagination, not tying everything down.