 Rothko Exhibition at Tate Modern |
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Sunday, October 12 2008 @ 11:45 AM BST
Author: Nigel. Views: 26
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A wonderful, life-affirming exhibition! Just let the paintings be, take time and sit, in some cases surrounded by them, and let them work.
Going without preconceptions I found it irrelevant to explore what Rothko's thoughts or intentions were, or his techniques, although the exhibition does go into this if you're interested.
Rothko himself said 'To paint a picture is to place yourself outside your experience. However, you paint the larger picture, you are in it. It isn't something you command'. And this works as well for the viewer - you really can get drawn into and enter these works. And, I would suggest, this is best done alone, as a personal experience.
Rothko reflected at length on how his paintings and murals should be displayed in relation to each other, and the exhibition succeeds in achieveing a sensitive balance, enhanced in the case of the Seagram murals by subdued lighting. Though well attended, when I visited there was always space to stand, or sit, and absorb the work, either from a distance or up close - both are rewarding.
The Buddhist 'Heart Sutra' says 'Form is no other than emptiness, emptiness no other than form.' In some way, along with the expression of a shared humanity and experience, Rothko's work seems to present the truth of this.
In the end, words are useless.
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