Untitled 1968

Editor: This untitled oil on canvas from 1968 by Mark Rothko is quite imposing. The deep purples and blues create such a heavy mood; what exactly am I looking at in terms of artistic intention here? Curator: Well, let’s think about 1968. What was happening socially, politically, economically that might influence material choices and Rothko’s process? Did readily available materials dictate some aspects of his practice? Editor: I understand your point. It seems like the availability of these particular pigments, and the techniques developed for large-scale canvases, were crucial. So, how do you see the socio-economic impact informing this work? Curator: Rothko, along with other Abstract Expressionists, moved painting away from depicting recognizable objects towards pure color and form. These choices are never made in a vacuum. The labor to produce paintings this size also becomes interesting in a Materialist context. What's often left unexamined when discussing Rothko are the unseen hands that likely stretched these massive canvases. Editor: That's fascinating. I never considered the unseen labor. I was so caught up in thinking about his internal feelings that it obscured this element. Curator: Exactly. And those broad strokes of color weren't simply about self-expression, consider them acts of physical engagement with materials influenced by mass consumerism. Editor: It changes how I view not only this Rothko, but all abstract expressionist art, especially the emphasis on what constitutes “art.” Thanks for making me consider not just the 'what', but also the 'how' and the 'why now?' Curator: Exactly. Considering materiality brings us closer to the economic and physical realities underpinning artistic creation, leading us to question traditional art narratives and broaden our appreciation.