Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), The Moth and the Thunderclap, 1961; watercolor and charcoal on paper, 36 x 48 inches; Collection of the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Gift of Charles Rand Penney, 1994
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, September 2, 1915
Friday, Oct 18, 2013
Once again I have conceived a wonderful thing… (, which caused me to thrill almost as greatly as the memorable evening of June 14, -) On my way to work I suddenly conceived the idea of composing rhythms + colors, not pictorially but abstractly, so as to suggest ideas. Having a psychological basis, it would appeal to even the untutored mind, + at the same time give the highest aesthetic enjoyment in the most cultured mind. With the proper instrument, these designs can be thrown upon a screen to a large audience who could watch and receive the same sensations as one listening to notes.
Charles Burchfield, September 2, 1915