Rothko’s Fall

Art x Outfit Edit #24

Next month, the Mark Rothko exhibit is set to open at the FLV in Paris. The widely acclaimed American Abstract Expressionist painter is famous for his signature style – large, rectangular canvases adorned with blocks of color dubbed “Color Fields”. Rothko believed in communicating and experiencing deep emotions through color and form.

Mark Rothko was born in 1903 in Latvia and immigrated to the United States at a young age, eventually settling in New York City. His early life experiences in the bustling metropolis played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic journey. Initially influenced by Surrealism and mythological themes, he gradually shed figurative elements from his work to focus solely on color and form as the primary means of expression.

Rothko’s paintings often feature soft-edged, floating rectangles or squares that seem to pulse with inner intensity. For Rothko, color wasn’t just a visual element; it was a language of the soul. He believed that his art could communicate directly with the viewer’s emotions, transcending the need for words or intellectual analysis. Each canvas became a vessel for emotions, inviting viewers to connect on a deeply personal level.

In the painting Untitled (Red of Red) executed in 1969, the energy of the crimson red is contrasted to the gravity of the burgundy. The light orange border adds a dimension of hope to the composition. Red is an intense color associated with love and passion, power and vitality. It is warm and inviting, sometimes reassuring. But it can also symbolize anger and hostility, even danger. Red is a perfect example of duality but also of nuance. Depending on the intensity of the hue, one can go through the whole spectrum of emotions.

To illustrate this sense of opposition, I chose pieces playing on proportions, shapes and forms for a perfect transition into Fall!