Friday, June 24, 2005
Mark Rothko
At one time (30 years ago), Mark Rothko was my favorite artist. I found his works to be absorbing, soothing and mystical. They magically drew me in even though they were totally abstract and completely lacking in narrative.
Tastes change. Four or five years ago I was surpprised to realize that I no longer enjoy Rothko's paintings in the same way. When I look at them now, I simply don't feel the same sort of energy."The Thrill is Gone".
Nonetheless, I still find both the artist and his work interesting, so I relished the opportunity to read a book of his essays recently published by Chris Rothko, his son. I borrowed the book from a generous friend who had received it as a gift from his daughter. The book is called The Artist's Reality Philosophies of Art. It is likely that Rothko wrote the essays in 1940 and 1941 and that he wrote them with the intention of turning them into a book. All of these years later, due to the efforts of his son who is "actively involved in managing the Rothko legacy," they have indeed become one.
So today, as a treat to myself, I set aside the time to read the book.
Couldn't do it.
I found the book totally inaccessible, not the least bit engaging or enlightening. A big bore. Perhaps I lack the necessary intellectual tools to understand and enjoy Mark Rothko's writing. Regardless, my time with the book added little or nothing to my ongoing art education. However, I did enjoy seeing the color plates of several of his early works from his family's private collections. They had the sort of rawness and intensity that I respond to in paintings these days.
Tastes change. Four or five years ago I was surpprised to realize that I no longer enjoy Rothko's paintings in the same way. When I look at them now, I simply don't feel the same sort of energy."The Thrill is Gone".
Nonetheless, I still find both the artist and his work interesting, so I relished the opportunity to read a book of his essays recently published by Chris Rothko, his son. I borrowed the book from a generous friend who had received it as a gift from his daughter. The book is called The Artist's Reality Philosophies of Art. It is likely that Rothko wrote the essays in 1940 and 1941 and that he wrote them with the intention of turning them into a book. All of these years later, due to the efforts of his son who is "actively involved in managing the Rothko legacy," they have indeed become one.
So today, as a treat to myself, I set aside the time to read the book.
Couldn't do it.
I found the book totally inaccessible, not the least bit engaging or enlightening. A big bore. Perhaps I lack the necessary intellectual tools to understand and enjoy Mark Rothko's writing. Regardless, my time with the book added little or nothing to my ongoing art education. However, I did enjoy seeing the color plates of several of his early works from his family's private collections. They had the sort of rawness and intensity that I respond to in paintings these days.
