I'll be honest, this book isn't really my thing. I liked the art, the woodblocks were cool, but the "sound poems" didn't do it for me. However, this edition is well put together and looks great, and there will definitely be readers who will enjoy this. I don't think it's right for me to rate this lower because I wasn't into it, when it's obviously well done, and is an important book in art history. If you dig abstract art and art theory, and especially if you like Kandinsky, this is the book for you!

#Sounds #NetGalley

<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/%27Two_Riders_against_a_Red_Background%27%2C_by_Wassily_Kandinsky%2C_Honolulu_Museum_of_Art%2C_20756.JPG"/>

What a stunning and captivating collection of poetry! The opening poem "Hills" left me in such a dreamy and colorful state, I was completely transported. It is the kind of synesthesia that simply makes you happy :)

And the art... throughout the book... splendid, captivating, raw, so well defined, so well constructed, just beyond words... Ah! It's been years since I bought a books, but if I were, it could be for this book, just for the pleasure of flipping its pages, rediscovering with joy its beautiful paintings, and for the experience of reading out loud its poems. 

<img src="https://www.moma.org/s/ge/collection_images/enlarge/04/26604.jpg"/>

*Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This is definitely a case of 'it's not you, it's me'. I didn't understand this book or how the poems correlated to the artwork. I think I would have fared much better if I had someone to explain the significance of this art to me in simple terms, before reading it. I did find the artwork very relaxing though!

Of veritable worth to Kandinsky experts, and fans of obscure piffle from a hundred years ago.  Anyone else will see this, from the introduction to the end, as if one of those random academic junk generators that provide Pseuds' Corner-worthy baloney had married a google translate loop.  After all, "Working doesn't always work / Efanin Zabel / Only deep and impossible names."  (Or so "The Naming of Cats" concludes if you bugger it up enough.)  I did come here with more of an expectation to liking the artworks, mind.  And again, left disappointed.

A book of poetry and art by Kandinsky. Just from the historical perspective, what a fascinating find. There will be something interesting here for a broad section of interests, whether it be literary, historical or artistic. Personally, I was delighted to see prints by an artist I have long admired.

An absolutely fascinating read for anyone interested in the work of Kandinsky and indeed in art generally

A beautiful art book from a master painter of the early 20th century. The woodcuts are abstract, but not as much as the paintings he would produce after this. The woodcuts compliment the sound-vision, playfully repetitious poems while the poems on their own are not of great merit.

This was not what I was expecting. I know it was in the poetry section, but didn’t feel like poetry. Although I’m not sure what category would fit best. Writing style wasn’t my favorite but the pictures where beautiful.

Sounds by Wassily Kandinsky is a reissue of a classic in art history and theory, particularly with regard to abstract art. It also speaks directly to the interplay between different art forms, in this case, poetry and painting (or woodcuts).

This translation is very good. Poetry, especially poetry that plays with words and sounds, can be very difficult to translate. There is no perfect translation but this one does, I think, capture the essence of what each poem is doing, both individually and in concert with the other poems and the images.

From previous experience with an earlier edition of this book I would say that this will appeal to a wide range of readers but within each type of reader there will be a wide range of opinions. I'll try to explain what I mean. Among artists and those interested in art history and theory, many will find this both an inspiring and an eyeopening book. It is this group for whom the book is probably most valuable since it is one of the few cases where the text and the images are the work of the same person. As a transitional work into abstract art, this speaks to both the what and the why behind it. That said, I have known people in this group who simply don't find much of value here. They are in the minority but enough to be worth mentioning. That said, they do grudgingly accept that it is still an essential work for what it does. Among the group of people who simply enjoy art, even those who like Kandinsky, this book is often hit or miss. Between the wordplay and the woodcuts that represent Kandinsky's own transitional period the book sometimes just doesn't appeal to what the person wants. Again, I have found these to be in the minority but significant enough to mention. In other words, like anything that is new (at the time) and tries to straddle lines (of art forms in this case) it won't speak to everyone.

Having said all that, I think this edition will have fewer people who don't find a way into it. That will largely be because of an excellent introduction from Elizabeth R Napier, the translator. She helps the reader to connect both what is happening within each poem as well as how that relates to the artwork. This provides many more avenues into the work, especially for those of us who are not well-versed in the theory of art or poetry.

All in all I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in art, especially abstract art. This will also interest anyone who enjoys the borderland between various art forms. While this speaks primarily to poetry and painting with a nod to music the way of thinking and approaching the border can apply to other such borders. And make no mistake, these are open borders with every side benefiting from the exchange.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

I wasn't sure what I was going to get with this book and I wasn't too thrilled. I don't think Kandinsky is really my kind of artist. I appreciate his work, but didn't get much from this book.