The Case For Mark Rothko | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios

Rectangles after rectangles after rectangles. Rothko was a truly prolific artist who found his groove painting hazy swatches of color and stuck with it until the very end. Maybe you've wondered what the point of it all is, or why he did seemingly the same thing over and over again.

[KayWhyz]

I never liked Rothko; it was difficult for me to get over that "this is pointless and I could do it" hump. It was the Tate paintings that changed my mind. I got to study abroad over the summer and during my visit to the Tate, for whatever reason, I was the only person in Rothko's room for a while. That low light is so important to his work, and that room was so dark and immersive it was impossible for me—long skeptic—not to feel something. Great work; great video, thank you.

[BariumCobaltNitrogn]

Rothko bothered me more than any other artist I had ever encountered, triggering the "I can do that." response. But the more I saw of his work, and learned more about him, the more I appreciated his work. I went to the Rothko Chapel and sat for what I thought was a few minutes staring at his dark works. I felt a lot of conflicting and deep emotions, sadness and loneliness chief among them, when I left I realized I had been there for over two hours. I felt a sense of peace no other artist had ever evoked. Fitting he was found dead in his own color field of crimson.

[kingnorkaiser]

I love "He and his buddy were reading a bunch of Nietzsche and Jung at the time" because it completely takes the pretension out of the philosophy of art and breaks it down so it's just like "Me and Sarah were listening to a lot of Drake so we made a surrealist vine of all the times he says Uh in his discography"

[pbsideachannel]

The Rothko Room in the Tate Modern is one of my favorite places anywhere (on a weekday morning, preferably). A kind of sombre, "unbearable silence" and the idea of being with (versus looking at) is such a great way of describing the power of his work.

[driesketels]

This is why I love our century so much. Amazing art channels talking about legendary artists in high quality video format, delivered to your doorstep for free on YouTube.

[HugsplosionBabyBacon]

"This isn't painting about nothing. This is painting about everything." Perfect. Brilliant. I want more videos like this.

[ARTiculations]

Personally I find Rothko works the most effective when it's a part of an architectural space. Actually I feel that about most abstract expressionist works. But Rothko's works especially. It's hard to appreciate a Rothko work by itself, out of context. They're the type of works you have to see in person to truly appreciate its artistic and emotional value.

[willieluncheonette]

Was lucky enough to see him seated alone at table in MOMA's garden one day. I went over and told him I loved his paintings but was too shy to say anything else. He thanked me and I left. Have since read much about him and what I love above all is how generous he was with his money. Always asking young artists he knew if they had enough money when he met them. Surely a sensitive soul like Mark is now enjoying a wonderful next life.

[janaatam]

I live in Latvia, which houses the city of Dvinsk (now named Daugavpils), Rothko’s birth place. I went to his museum there two years ago. The paintings, man, they fucking breathe. When you stand there and look at it, so close, it’s like a living, breathing organism. An absolutely breathaking experience, I wish everyone can experience in their life. Great video!!

[AnotherGradus]

It's true, you have to see a Rothko painting in person. Slightly moving your eyes or tilting your head causes the under-lying hues to fade in and recede. It's just not the same with video or print.

[jmcosmos]

I live 3 hours from the Rothko Chapel; never been, in no hurry to go.  I don't _like_ his art any better than I ever did (Abstract Expressionism as a school leaves me cold), but I do now understand better what he was doing.

[alfie]

I have absolutely no background in art, and for me is what makes Rothko's work. Because it feels deeply connected, like I have created it, when in fact it has been crafted by a master. Sarah, you make excellent points that force me to think complexly and for that I am so grateful.

Most importantly, you introduced me to Rothko.

[marielpackard]

I love this! I used to meditate in the Rothko Chapel when I was in high school since my school was only a couple blocks away. With those experiences, I developed a deep love for Rothko's works without knowing why, but this made my reasons much clearer! Thank you! :)

[zoeomo]

Welp, this just about summed up what it took me an entire thesis to say! Really great, and once again confirms just how cool I think Sarah Urist Green is (never mind that totally less-famous husband of hers).

[morganpaige]

Rothko is so rad and I'm glad this video is out there as a quick catch up for those who don't know who he is. I'm so excited that I'm going to see some of his work at the Tate when I visit London this summer! Seeing his work in person is always so wonderfully overwhelming.

[hedgehog]

"Did great in school, got a scholarship to Yale and found his leftist leanings at university, dropped out after 2 years later" wow I didn't know Rothko was the most relatable artist ever

[jennifermax]

I love this. I love these videos and how we can learn about famed artists and how they shape and influence the modern art world as well as the history of art. Anyone can read an art book, but this material provided is something that will feed a retention and a greater appreciation for the artist. It humanizes the artist and his body of work. It makes the history not so much a lesson, but more so an entertaining tangent. This is fabulous. Please, continue to make these videos, for they inspire me as well and my work. Thank you.

[MandoPudding]

Uh, where was this video when I was in my art history class??

(loving these, keep making em)

[lineikatabs]

I remember seeing Rothko for the first time in the Tate. Standing in front of the works, I could feel the cold empty wind of the void gently winding it's tentacles around my soul and pulling me ever so slightly towards insanity. Fantastic experience. I believe I've left a very small part of me there. Forever trapped in the dark colors. It just feels like a piece of me is there, calling me, asking me to come back...

[kittenbraden]

Loved this little excursion, very educational. :) The power of colours is not to be underestimated. I am learning to love styles and concepts for which I did not have an appreciation before. Those paintings draw me closer and trap me inside of their world and it is indeed a deeply emotional experience. Sometimes it's too much to bear.