the black bored

Instead of focusing on the absence of action, the artist wants us to focus on the presence of silence.

On what merits is a work of art considered great? The complicated methodologies undertaken by the artist to create it? Or the complication of the emotional depth behind it? Or both?

If it is the former than Mark Rothko’s most seminal and defining works is certainly not eligible for the title of “greatness”. But if it is the latter than Rothko is a true genius. One of Abstract Expressionist’s pioneer Mark Rothko’s most defining works are simple. Two or three colours floating on a vast life size canvass. In terms of form and technicality there is no prowess as such in these creations. Moreover, there is a clear absence of any sort of action in the three striking colours.

Only that which breaks the set conventions goes on to become path-breaking. And yet there are very few instances when the ‘path breaking’ doesn’t attract its fare share of critics. At the height of Abstract Expressionism in the mid 20^th century, some critics even questioned the movement for challenging the core tenets of all that makes a painting. Yet these batch of Rothko’s artworks is celebrated the most among the abstractionists.

Rothko’s creations are not meant to be appreciated the way, say classical art is. And this is true of all the pioneers of the Abstract Expressionist movement. These artists insisted on not framing their paintings. In addition to this, Rothko wanted his paintings to be hanged and viewed in a specific way. He encouraged the viewer to go on a sort of a meditative journey of inner peace and silence. Instead of focusing on the absence of action the artist wants us to focus on the presence of silence. The viewer must be an equal participant too and it demands that they must interact with the painter. It is important to note that Rothko thought and planned every single stroke, even between the edges of the major colours, every single mark that is visible to the eye is intentional. But it is difficult to ascertain which layer comes first or last. Or what exactly were the considerations while arriving at the final colour pallet. Perhaps this is part of what makes Rothko’s paintings so mysterious.

And folks, with this, I would like to leave you with my version of Rothko style painting. This was only the second time I used a paint brush in my newfound discovering of painting. My sense of judgement regarding the density of colour is still weak, and so I may have ended up wasting a lot of colour. The colour black to be more precise. Write to me or comment below if you want to know the original source of inspiration behind the creation of this rookie painting. And following in the tradition of Rothko this amateur painting has no title, but its trying its best to make you feel relaxed. 😇