Reviews for The Artist's Reality: Philosophies of Art

The average rating for The Artist's Reality: Philosophies of Art based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2010-05-19 00:00:00 Paul Barry Things that interrupted the last quarter of this book today: - Jon animatedly singing "Mr. Roboto" in my face - Kid #1 wanting food - Jon making weird noises to bug me - Kid #2 playing games on computer next to me with noise level at maximum. "You got it right! You're a math STAR!" - Jon wanting food - Kid #3 showing me his "sssoooooper coooool firefire truck" - Jon showing me pictures of Eh! and Tambo and Meredith - Dog farts - Kids #1, 2 & 3 wanting food Why is it when you get to the end of something brilliant everything in its power tries to keep you from it? The book. The introduction is beautifully written and carries a sense of melancholy from a son who lost his dad at a young age. It felt a little like this manuscript was a way to get to know his father better or at least connect to him in a way he was unable to as a child. But like many things, I may be reading too much into it. The manuscript itself tended to flit and fly from one thought to the next without a smooth flow. Although, contained within the random train of thought was brilliance. He's an artist not a writer but was still able to philosophize the whys and hows of art as he see it. You are able to see his polemic views of what he struggled with as an artist. He questions beauty. What is beauty? Is it the emotional reminder of our own humanity that moves us to finding something beautiful? Is it simply something that brings us pleasure? Is it happiness? Is it familiarity? For these questions I may have to go to Eco. For now ... this book was great, even if I did get interrupted multiple times at the best parts.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-07-07 00:00:00 Steven P Beck Let me start off by saying this book is perhaps one of the most fascinating works I've ever encountered. It's an incredible book, but that said, I don't feel it's comparable to other (regular) books at all. With respect to the entire process of writing, this was never fully developed. Nonetheless, it's lack of polish doesn't hinder it in any way. Written by Mark Rothko back in the 40s, it laid hidden for decades in a manila folder until Christopher Rothko (the late artists son) took the time and care to have it published. That, you see, is what makes it such a wonderful read. It isn't just some prose, carefully laid out by writer, editor and publisher. No, it's much more than that. It's a rare view into the mind of a great artist, if not arguably one of America's best abstract painters. The book in many ways unfolds Rothko's thinking. One rich in both meaning and insight. Or in other terms, let me equate it to my view of Rothko's abstract paintings: somewhat obscure at first, but with time and patience, one eventually finds incredible meaning, substance and emotion. What I find especially of interest is Rothko's commentary on the role of art and science. Often people split these two, with presumptions about their different manifestations. Rothko has actually made an interesting case for their unity, and how in fact they have much more in common than we are taught to believe. I won't go into great detail. However, if you are a struggling artist in any medium, I think you'll find this book a great revelation. Of course, it's not a page turning thriller. You need to stop every now and then and think -- God forbid people should actually be forced to think while reading-- and yes, it may be somewhat slow as you stop and go, trying to tease meaning from some of Rothko's more elaborate sentences. But be assured, there is profound meaning imbedded here. The more time you invest, the greater your reward.