Synesthesia has been quietly influencing aspects of music and art for some time now. Here are a few individuals who have created masterpieces though synesthetic experiances.

Famous Synesthetes Thoughout History

Famous Russian born painter and art theorist who's work was heavily influenced by his sound to color synesthesia. While his paintings include some landscape and seascape images, Kandinsky is credited as the first to create a purely abstract image.

 

Kandinsky finally recognized his synaesthesia at a performance of Wagner's opera Lohengrin in Moscow: "I saw all my colours in spirit, before my eyes. Wild, almost crazy lines were sketched in front of me."

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From that point on he replaced landscapes with seemingly random lines, splashes of color, and strange geometrical shapes.

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To see some of his abstract creations follow the link below.

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http://www.wassilykandinsky.net/compositions.php

​Pianist, singer, and song writer Tori Amos describes her musical experience:​



"The song appears as light filament once I've cracked it. As long as I've been doing this, which is more than thirty-five years, I've never seen a duplicated song structure. I've never seen the same light creature in my life. Obviously similar chord progressions follow similar light patterns...try to imagine the best kaleidoscope ever”



Her song 'Winter' exemplifies her talents on the piano as well as her song writing capabilities. Follow the link to listen. 

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWmETxWM0h0

Singer, song writer, and rock legend Jimi Hendrix claimed to see music in his head while he played and wrote songs based on colors he perceived. 



While he had a reputation for taking mind altering drugs the colorful experiences which he described on multiple occasions better fit a synesthetic perception of the world. 



It is still under review whether Hendrix is considered a true synesthete but the growing amount of evidence seems to be in his favor. 



If you're unfamiliar with his work check out the song Purple Haze. It is thought that Hendrix gave this song its title based on the colors that floated through his vision while the notes were being played.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djVIDpVsDAQ 

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Musician, song writer, and producer Eddie van Halen has reported seeing colors stream over his field of vision when certain musical notes are played. Co-founder of the rock band Van Halen, he has equated some of his musical abilities to color perception. 



The band became exceedingly popular due to their ingenuity. By using a particular type of guitar and other items of musical technology they were able to synthesize a rough and tough sound now imperative to classic rock. 

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The sound was dubbed “brown sound” since Van Halen claimed to see specific colors when using the instruments in a certain way. 



To experience a classic Van Halen riff follow the link below.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlq0lYB3iSM