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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 51 votes)
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51 reviews
July 15,2025
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Marking this as read, but to be honest, I simply can't finish it! This is already my third attempt. I encounter great difficulties in reading his writing. Life is just too short to endure the struggle of getting through a book that seems so challenging. I truly had a strong desire to like it because I have a deep affection for his work. However, whenever I begin to read it, my brain seems to shut down completely. It's as if there is an invisible barrier preventing me from fully engaging with the text. I find myself constantly losing focus and having to reread passages multiple times. It's a frustrating experience, but unfortunately, it seems that this particular book is just not for me.

July 15,2025
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\\"It had a weightness and grandeur that probably exceeded its contents...\\" This is the description that initially caught my attention. However, as I delved deeper into the book, I found myself increasingly frustrated. I have ultimately abandoned the book. Maybe I am not yet ready to understand what is written here, I truly don't know. I have a deep love for Rothko, but I just can't seem to get this particular work. At times, it feels as if he is rambling rather than reflecting. There was so much promise in the introduction written by his son, Christopher, but the subsequent sections just come across as flat and uninspiring. I was eagerly expecting to read more in-depth observations about Rothko's works, but disappointingly, he never really talks about them. I did some research and discovered that Rothko wrote this before he had developed his signature style, which might explain some of my confusion. Nevertheless, for all my complaints, I am also aware that it could be that I am simply too young or too naive to fully grasp everything. Maybe my \\"cup is too full\\" at this stage. I am still hoping to revisit this book in the future, perhaps with a more open and receptive mind.



Abandoned 3:56 PM, 11 July 2010.

July 15,2025
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The original article is not provided, so I will create a new one for you:

**Title: The Fascinating World of Space**

Space has always been a source of wonder and mystery.

It is a vast and无垠的 realm that stretches beyond our imagination.

The stars, planets, and galaxies that dot the sky are not only beautiful to look at but also hold many secrets waiting to be discovered.

Scientists have been studying space for centuries, using telescopes and other instruments to observe and learn about the universe.

Thanks to their efforts, we now know more about space than ever before.

We know that the universe is constantly expanding, and that there are billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars.

We also know that there may be other forms of life out there, waiting to be found.

The study of space is not only fascinating but also important.

It helps us to understand our place in the universe and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

Who knows what other amazing discoveries await us in the future?
July 15,2025
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Rothko from his own mouth. What more can you say? His writing parallels his painting.


Mark Rothko was a renowned artist, and his words provide unique insights into his creative process and artistic vision. His writing, like his painting, was characterized by a profound exploration of emotions and the human condition.


In his writing, Rothko often delved into the abstract and intangible, using words to convey the same sense of depth and mystery that his paintings evoked. He spoke of his desire to create works that would touch the viewer on a visceral level, bypassing the rational mind and directly accessing the emotions.


Just as his paintings were composed of large, flat areas of color, his writing was often简洁 and to the point, yet filled with powerful imagery and symbolism. Each word seemed carefully chosen to convey a specific meaning or emotion, much like each color in his paintings was carefully selected for its impact.


Studying Rothko's writing can offer a deeper understanding of his art, and vice versa. His words and paintings are two sides of the same coin, both expressing his unique perspective on the world and his place in it.
July 15,2025
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Es un libro raro, muy raro. It is written by a young painter (not a writer) who is deeply interested in the ideas and the process of thinking around and from painting.


The Artist’s Reality is a collection of essays left to their fate, written in the years when a process of change to the new form of painting (in terms of themes and solutions) was taking place, which would lead Rothko to the international fame that is now so familiar to us.


Published posthumously by his children after many years of finding the manuscript and trying to put it in order. A text that perhaps was not even conceived to come out of the drawer.


Edited and with a prologue by his son Christopher (not an editor nor a writer) who, fortunately for us, did his best to organize and share one of the most interesting exercises on pictorial thinking.


It is not a perfect text, it is not an easy text. In fact, it is not even an enjoyable book. It is a subtle hammer to the head that hits you but you needed to receive.


It confronted me as an artist but also as a father when in the prologue his own son says (more or less in these words) that if Mark reached the work he did, it was perhaps because one had to recognize that he had no skill for figuration.


(Oh no, I give a kick to Julián from the underworld).


I was angry and saddened that someone so close to Mark could be so ignorant and insensitive. Until I recognized that all he did was put in front of me the mirror of how solitary the path of art is. It doesn't matter how much you try to transmit your ideas, no one, NO ONE, not even your own blood in the face of non-verbal evidence, will recognize the steps you tried to take because there will always be the shadow of the places you didn't visit and the possibility that it was because you were a chicken McFly!


And that's okay.


As a curious fact, Rothko taught art to children in a community center for more than 30 years :O Wow, right? That made me like him a little more.


As a recommendation, don't read it if you get bored easily. It's a pain in the ass unless you are a painter, philosopher or historian.

July 15,2025
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His son's introduction serves as a significant warning of the forthcoming snobby and bitter rant. It is truly unreadable.

One can sense the impending negativity and haughtiness from the very beginning. It's as if a dark cloud looms over the text,预示着 what is to come. The language used in the introduction seems to set a tone that is off-putting and difficult to penetrate.

Perhaps the author intended to create a sense of anticipation or drama, but instead, it has left the reader feeling confused and uninterested. It's a missed opportunity to engage the audience and draw them into the story.

Hopefully, the rest of the article will offer something more redeeming and engaging, but based on this introduction, it's hard to be optimistic.
July 15,2025
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If one has the ability to understand, or if one possesses the sensibility to exist within, the specific kind of space to which a painting is dedicated, then he has achieved the most comprehensive expression of the artist's attitude towards reality. This profound statement is just one of the countless pearls of artistic wisdom from Rothko's unfinished (!) manuscript, serving as further evidence that the man was truly a genius.


Rothko's works are not just paintings; they are windows into his unique philosophy and the mindset that drove his creative process. By delving into his manuscript, one can gain a deeper understanding of the artist's perspective on life, beauty, and the human condition.


If you have a passion for art and a desire to explore the inner workings of a great master, I highly recommend taking the time to study Rothko's unfinished manuscript. It is a treasure trove of inspiration and insight that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for his work and a greater understanding of the power of art to communicate profound ideas.

July 15,2025
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I truly enjoyed delving into Mark Rothko's thinking as I have a profound adoration for his paintings. It was a great pleasure to gain personal insights into the mind of this remarkable artist. The inclusion of a few color examples of Rothko's work in the book was a wonderful addition. It allowed me to better visualize and understand his artistic style and the emotions he was trying to convey.


The cover page, with its attempt to be authentic to Rothko's found personal notebook complete with dirt spots and pencil scratchings, was an interesting concept. It added a touch of authenticity and made the book feel more like a direct connection to the artist. However, I couldn't help but think that if Rothko knew his notes were to be published posthumously, he might have preferred that one of his colorful paintings be wrapped around the book. This would have been a more fitting tribute to his art and would have made the book even more visually appealing.


I would encourage the publisher to consider this idea if they plan to reprint the book. It would not only enhance the aesthetic value of the book but also provide a more comprehensive and immersive experience for the readers. I look forward to seeing how this suggestion is received and hope that future editions of the book will incorporate this change.

July 15,2025
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This book reveals, through the written word, the reasons why Rothko might be regarded as the most complete artist of the 20th Century. He was not only a remarkable painter but also a perceptive cultural observer and a keen historical observer.

His insights bear a resemblance to the tone of the American founding fathers and the contributions of our accidental founding ancients. In most cases, these insights still hold true today. However, the significance of the latter point is relatively minor because his is a spiritual journey that transcends time.

The fact that his sometimes Hegelian philosophy of art retroactively and uniquely resonates with my own life's vision is incredibly affirming. Rothko was an idea man with all the subtleties and a most thorough purist. I am deeply grateful for his paintings and, equally importantly, for the reasons why he created art in the first place.

His works and ideas have had a profound impact on me, inspiring me to look at art and life from a different perspective.
July 15,2025
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Mark Rothko is my favorite modern artist.

I have delved into numerous books about him and his life, eager to uncover every detail.

It was truly fascinating to read something he himself had written and gain a small glimpse into him as a person.

When I first received the book, I was initially disappointed by its thinness. However, as I began to read, I realized that it was no ordinary book.

In fact, it is a profound philosophy book.

Just like most philosophy, it contains parts that one will wholeheartedly agree with and others that might make one's eyes roll.

Nonetheless, I am extremely glad that I had this precious opportunity to read Mr. Rothko's own words.

It has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of his art and his perspective on life.

Overall, it has been a rewarding experience that I will cherish.
July 15,2025
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The fact that this book was published from Mark Rothko's manuscripts posthumously makes it truly precious.

I've never come across a book that speaks with such unwavering honesty. This read has undeniably been of great assistance to me in my arduous struggle to fathom modern art.

The author states, "Skill itself is not an index to beauty. Of course, the artist must have sufficient means at his command to achieve his objective so that his work becomes convincingly communicative. But clearly it is something else which the art must communicate more than this."

He further elaborates that the fact that one or more of us can receive this communication originating from another person - the artist - attests to the existence of an abstract quality; one that the artist endeavors to achieve and that we may recognize.

Isn't it an extremely rare occurrence to read an unedited version of an artist's thoughts? It provides a unique and unfiltered glimpse into the mind of the creative genius, allowing us to better understand their artistic vision and the deeper meaning behind their works.
July 15,2025
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The concept of an artist's reality and the philosophies of art are complex and multifaceted.

Artists often view the world through a unique lens, interpreting and representing it in their work. Their reality may be influenced by personal experiences, emotions, and beliefs.

Philosophies of art explore questions such as what art is, what its purpose is, and how it should be created and evaluated. Different artists may have different philosophies, which can lead to a wide variety of artistic styles and expressions.

The link provided, http://horsebits-jrc.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-artists-reality-philosophies-of-art.html, likely delves deeper into these topics, offering insights and perspectives from various artists and art theorists.

By exploring the artists' reality and philosophies of art, we can gain a better understanding of the creative process and the power of art to communicate and inspire.
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