KAZIMIR MALEVICH WHITE ON WHITE

Michael Edwards

 

 

KAZIMIR MALEVICH

 WHITE ON WHITE

 

 

 

White on white

 a square in a square.

Is it art?

 

Is it innovative?

Is it different?

Is it original?

Do you like it?

Or is it nonsense?

 

You ponder

You scratch your head

You tell me:

‘It’s  taking the piss.

It’s rubbish!

A child could paint it’.

 

Is that what you really think?

 

But surely

you could you have fun

with colours

with shapes

with tones

Perhaps you couldn’t paint it

or something like it ? 

 

You’re indignant.

I can see that.

Of course you are!

‘There’s nothing to it’

you say

‘It’s easy

Anyone can do it’.

 

So you could paint

something like:-

white on white

a square in a square.

 

 

Then why don’t you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Author: Michael Edwards (Offline Offline)
  • Published: November 27th, 2018 02:00
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 25
  • User favorite of this poem: Laura🌻.
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Comments9

  • Michael Edwards

    If only the doubters could open their minds - but some minds are closed. A work of art has to depict a recognisable subject - but with this mindset a whole world is closed to you.

  • Goldfinch60

    As you know Michael I have a very open mind when it comes to art. I wish to thank you for introducing me to an artist I had not known. I have just had a brief glimpse on the web about him and one of the things that it seemed to show that "White on white" is quite a change from the other works that I have seen where black seems to dominate.
    The few works of his that I have seen are intriguing so I will have to look further into his works.
    Thank you for the introduction.

    • Michael Edwards

      There are some of his works which don't appeal to me but I love this one.

    • Goldfinch60

      By the way a good write and hopefully it may open peoples minds to abstract art.

      • Michael Edwards

        Thanks Andy - there's always hope.

        • Michael Edwards

          I have found that when you actually engage people they enjoy it. I do the occasional workshop and getting people to have a go (even though they claim to dislike abstract) can be quite a turning point. They play with colours and you can see the 'child' in them come out as they literally play around and with the surprising result that they enjoy the process and are often quite proud of the end result.

        • 1 more comment

        • orchidee

          Why yes, here's my picture 'White on White'...………………… see it? Anyone could paint that! heehee.
          Though I've become more used to abstracts lately. Could never afford any though.
          Now a 'Silent Poem'. It goes on for 3,647 verses. No words in it though (You're pulling my leg, Orchi).

        • orchidee

          And could I sell my 'Silent Poem' for about £10 million?!

          • Michael Edwards

            To really appreciate a silent poem you mustn't read it - anyway you couldn't if you wanted to as it isn't written down.

            • orchidee

              This is preposterous - and that 4 mins 33 seconds of 'silent music' in some piece somewhere!

            • 1 more comment

            • Laura🌻

              Michael,

              Good morning! Hope you’re feeling better.

              I had the pleasure of admiring Kazimir Malevich’s artwork at the MoMA! There I was introduced to his WHITE ON WHITE and other paintings...quite extraordinary to say the least!
              You have reminded me of his work through your exceptional write and art piece! Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents!

              ~Laura~

              • Michael Edwards

                I've never visited the MoMA in Manhattan and am envious that you've seen it in the 'flesh'. As I said above not all his work appeals but that that does just 'blows' my mind away. So pleased you liked my write about it.

                • Michael Edwards

                  Sorry Laura - yes feeling better by the day. It was decided yesterday that my staples would remain in until next Monday - I am rather relieved as there is still some pain and redness and the last I want is another bursting open of the wound. I will write a short piece about the experience and although it will not be in poetic form I might post it here - but it will be a while yet when things get back to normal.

                • 1 more comment

                • ANGELA & BRIAN

                  GOOD EVENING MICHAEL ~ ANGELA & I are both afficianados of Modern & Abstract Art. I give a talk on Wharhol and one "Chocolate Box Painter" (Village Scenes like Yours) said "Any Fool could paint a can of Campbell's Soup" I asked him what was a most he had been paid for one of his Paintings. He replied £100 as a commission to paint a Man's House in a more Sylvan environment. I then asked him was he alive when ANDY painted his Soup Cans he said yes. Well I replied the one I showed recently sold for £5 million ~ why didn't you paint them ! NO REPLY.
                  In Liverpool a Lady won an art prize (£1000) with White on White the next year she won £2000 with Black on Black ! The next year (£ 3000) she submitted her CHESS BOARD and still won ~ AMEN ! Shades of Tracy Ennems Unmade Bed. MODERN ART is: Any shapes of any colour on any background ~ usually constrained in a geometrical 2D shape ~ OK ~ Thanks for sharing ~ Yours BRIAN ~ Young enough to understand & appreciate ABSTRACT ART & MUSIC etc !

                  • Michael Edwards

                    Abstract work is so misunderstood - or should I say not understood at all. Having seen TE's bed I must say it does nothing for me - but I understand it - it's all about having an open mind and not accepting or rejecting anything blindly.

                  • Tamara Beryl Latham - The Poet

                    Russians excel at just about everything they attempt.

                    Kazimir Malevich introduced the art world to depth and volume without color in your referenced "White on White."

                    I visited Russia a few decades ago and you'd be surprised at how accomplished they are in many areas, including arts and science.

                    Your poem is an excellent tribute to Malevich as well as culminating in a dare for the reader.

                    Great job!

                    • Michael Edwards

                      Thank you again Tamara - yes the Russians do excel - I've been to parts of Russia and would love to return - there's so much to see.

                    • Neville

                      in any of its many forms, art.. at least in my opinion, is in general, much like beauty... in the eye of the individual beholder... there is no universal or collective perception or view... That said, I did most certainly enjoy your poem here and which undoubtedly raises an intriguing set of questions.. Cheers, Neville

                      • Michael Edwards

                        Cheers Neville

                        • Neville

                          no worries, no problem, my pleasure..



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