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Glenn McCarthy Art and Photography

8 Years Ago

Another Big Sale! Only 46.5 Million.

Yes, this wonderful piece is setting standards again. Amazing how important a simple work can be. The caption states "it was sold to a lucky buyer". Can someone break down why this image is so valuable from the stand point of composition?

http://boingboing.net/2015/05/15/exquisite-rothko-masterpiece-s.html

http://glenn-mccarthy.artistwebsites.com/

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Parker Cunningham

8 Years Ago

Key Word: Rothko

 

I didn't ask for a keyword though. That is already understood Parker.

 
 

John Wills

8 Years Ago

I don't see that much value in it but it reminds me of this one. Must be something magical about 3 rectangles that draws the big bucks.

http://nypost.com/2013/05/15/43-8-million-for-this/

 

Nina Prommer

8 Years Ago

could have to do with supply and demand, I bet there are not many Rothko pieces floating around for sale, all you need is two rich people fighting over one piece

 

The price also has to do with the history of Rothko and his art.

But I am wondering more about the "compositional importance" of the work.

Looking for perspective from this art community and how the execution of this image affects you visually and artistically. What visual justification is there for these kinds of prices?

 

Ginette Callaway

8 Years Ago

Congratulation!

 

Sydne Archambault

8 Years Ago

Perhaps its true, as it only takes three chords to make great songs, so it is true here.

 

Yes Ginette. Congratulatory notes can be sent to Green River Cemetery/Westchester Hills Cemetery.

 

Dave Bowman

8 Years Ago

Seeing as you asked:

Compositionally, I think it's appalling.
Visually and 'artistically' (using the term loosely), it makes me feel nauseous.
Visual justification of the price - zero. Indeed, if it wasn't for the fact that I could sell it to some other rich fool a few years from now for an even more exorbitant sum, you'd have to pay me to take it from you.

But isn't that the wonderful thing about art? You could place a turd on a plate and providing the right people backed and hailed you as the next Picasso, you could sell it for millions.

 

Edward Fielding

8 Years Ago

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Deal-Contemporary-Global-Financial/dp/069115788X

Art of the Deal: Contemporary Art in a Global Financial Market Paperback by Noah Horowitz

 

Ginette Callaway

8 Years Ago

Yes Glenn.

Isn't that always how it goes.

I just though of that yesterday. BB King dies and the news media is all over it. Sad faces, "We lost a Great one"!' "We'll Miss Him"

While he was alive especially as an older artist he could't get a minute of airtime. "You just gotta die to get some love."

I think there is a country song lyric in there somewhere!

 

Sydne Archambault

8 Years Ago

I am pretty sure Picasso's poop would be worth millions!

 

Ginette Callaway

8 Years Ago

Especially shaped in a cubist fashion!

 

John Wills

8 Years Ago

Dave B. is reading my mind. Artistically, it's childish, the pallet choice is atrocious, and what it represents is anyone's guess. I see 0.00 value in it. I'd be downright embarrassed to have it in my store to be honest.

 

Yes Ginette. You are right in your analogy about B B King. Then when an artist does make it big... Like Peter Lik (Ha, Ha) the outrage over his popularity and success knows no bounds.

I was thinking Bobby Ross with a couple of swipes might emulate this composition.

 

Jim Whalen

8 Years Ago

I am so glad to hear these thoughts about this piece and know that I'm not the only one who thinks it's horrendous. But I think Warhol was a joke and I get a lot of criticism from others in the art community for that opinion.

 

Ginette Callaway

8 Years Ago

Glenn... it's called the "Tall Poppy" syndrome!

Personally I don't roll that way!

 

Melissa Bittinger

8 Years Ago

My take on this type of sale in the Art World...

The Emperor's New Clothes
Hans Christian Andersen

Many years ago there lived an emperor who cared only about his clothes and about showing them off. One day he heard from two swindlers that they could make the finest suit of clothes from the most beautiful cloth. This cloth, they said, also had the special capability that it was invisible to anyone who was either stupid or not fit for his position.

Being a bit nervous about whether he himself would be able to see the cloth, the emperor first sent two of his trusted men to see it. Of course, neither would admit that they could not see the cloth and so praised it. All the townspeople had also heard of the cloth and were interested to learn how stupid their neighbors were.

The emperor then allowed himself to be dressed in the clothes for a procession through town, never admitting that he was too unfit and stupid to see what he was wearing. For he was afraid that the other people would think that he was stupid.

Of course, all the townspeople wildly praised the magnificent clothes of the emperor, afraid to admit that they could not see them, until a small child said:

"But he has nothing on"!

This was whispered from person to person until everyone in the crowd was shouting that the emperor had nothing on. The emperor heard it and felt that they were correct, but held his head high and finished the procession.

 

Ginette Callaway

8 Years Ago

I would love to see this in person. Maybe there is very tiny print or something like a subliminal message that can't be seen unless you are THERE!

 

Melissa Bittinger

8 Years Ago

Must be a pretty powerful subliminal message! lol

 

Edward Fielding

8 Years Ago

For Sydne -

Artist's poop can be worth millions:

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/manzoni-artists-shit-t07667

...

I was up close to a Rothko last weekend. The paintings have amazing texture and brushstrokes up close.

 

James McCormack

8 Years Ago

"What visual justification is there for these kinds of prices?"

Composition - not very exciting. Yellow canvas split by a wide blue band parallel to the bottom line.
If it were diagonal it might lead my eye somewhere.

I find this one much more pleasing

http://www.markrothko.org/images/paintings/black-in-deep-red.jpg



Back to the first one
Colourwise - not very exciting.

No visual justification - just inve$tment, the fact that he's dead and these pieces are now a limited commodity.
Follow the art market - follow the commodities market - same thing - scarcity dictates price - plus a little manipulation of supply by dealers.
Damien Hearst did it successfully as a live artist (?marketeer ?). I see less value in his work than in Rothko's.

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Jim Buchanan

8 Years Ago

So, nobody said if they sell a duvet cover version or, even better, a galaxy case version (but for considerable less than a million).

 

What we value ...

Art Prints

Wonder if the grass is in a jar somewhere.

 

Marlene Burns

8 Years Ago

CongrTulations, Glenn!!
Oh wait...
::::ducking::..

 

Chuck Staley

8 Years Ago

Quote:

"The fact that people break down and cry when confronted with my pictures shows that I can communicate those basic human emotions.. the people who weep before my pictures are having the same religious experience I had when painting them. And if you say you are moved only by their color relationships then you miss the point."

 

Yes, when they were being viewed strictly from their inspirational value I understand that statement. Especially from the perspective of the artist.

I've mentioned many times the people who broke down in tears while in my gallery and standing in front of the much maligned Thomas Kinkade. That verified to me many times over the value that people put in his work. Not everybody had the money to purchase it. So he made it available in many different forms and prices. Then he was attacked for being nothing but a marketeer. There is no winning. So the best thing to do is put one foot in front of the other and keep your eyes straight ahead.

If someone places a 46.5 million value on a Rothko, then they have invested where their heart is. If someone places a $1600.00 price tag on a Kinkade... a Bev Doolittle... a Terry Redlin... or a Peter Lik... it must have a little piece of their heart.

 

Dave Bowman

8 Years Ago

What I find interesting is how some consider the reputation more important than the work. It saddens me that such a shallow and limited view is conidered an 'educated' one, but I suppose it speaks volumes of the art world today. Art, for me at least, is about an emotional connection brought on by the work itself. A name means nothing if the work is vapid.. The same applies for a body of work, which could be a tour de force - but to buy a poor piece just because of the repuation garnered from other work misses the entire point of what art should be about. It also hints at a sheep-like mentality.

 

Dave Bowman

8 Years Ago

"If someone places a 46.5 million value on a Rothko, then they have invested where their heart is. If someone places a $1600.00 price tag on a Kinkade... a Bev Doolittle... a Terry Redlin... or a Peter Lik... it must have a little piece of their heart. "

Must it, or is it more about seeing it as a potential earner in a few years time? Or is it about the artist's reputation, Or is it for bragging rights? When I see some of this work and the price it sells for I can only think that the art itself is the last thing that captures the heart. On the other hand, perhaps there's a subliminal cult thing going on that I'm missing :)

Then again I don't buy much art, certainly not at this price range, so what do I know? I do remember being incredibly underwhelmed by the Mona Lisa when I stood before it though. Tough heart to capture.

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

My cat threw up on my painting once, does that count?

 

Dan Turner

8 Years Ago

Dave Bowman, I don't understand your perspective. You have excellent work and obviously understand composition, lighting, emotion, harmony, color, contrast, impact...I would say you "get" art. But Glenn has certainly hit one of your hot buttons (or blind spots?) with Rothko. I can see where his work wouldn't be your cup of tea, but to run down an obviously influential artist, his art, his buyers, the investment value, recent sales and his reputation seems out of step with your work. What am I missing?


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

 

Chuck Staley

8 Years Ago

Dave, I had a similar feeling when I first saw the Mona Lisa.

Not to get into witchcraft or twilight zone, but I believe such items hold vibes that people feel.

For me, the feeling I received from the Mona Lisa was almost overwhelming.

Had similar feelings when I first saw Ronald Reagan in person. Charisma. Like an electric shock.

Over the years there have been a few like that.

 

Vanessa Bates

8 Years Ago

Going out on a limb, but I'm wondering if this Rothko piece is a victim of it's own ground breaking success in the same way that Ernest Hemingway was in the literary world. Some of Hemingway's works have a worn familiarity to them and it's hard for me to comprehend how anyone could be impressed by it, but might be because we've been exposed to so many authors who have borrowed his unembellished writing style. Maybe this piece is another example of how we've seen too many people exploring the same kind of minimalism to be moved by this particular one?

Ok, I don't get it either and am thinking Nina's description of two guy battling it out in auction is more accurate.

 

Harold Shull

8 Years Ago

Hiya guys,

Here's another example proving what PT Barnum said years ago was true - "There's a sucker born every minute." This young man wanted to know what it feels like to be a celebrity so he hired two bodyguards and a cameraman to follow him on the streets of NYC. And LOL to everyone's amazement, he had people following him to get a selfie and an autograph. Some people will believe anything you say to them about anything.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2192748/Almost-famous-Student-hires-bodyguards-paparazzi-entourage-pranks-New-York-believing-world-famous-celebrity.html

 

Vanessa Bates

8 Years Ago

That was a great article, Harold. Thanks for posting. So maybe the fervor could be summed up in Local Color's art fair scene? Would the cult of personality mean we always, at some level, have to have a tribal chief? I hope not. Monarchy doesn't always have the best of records with art and artists.

 

Harold Shull

8 Years Ago

Hiya Vanessa,

I believe in the power of persuasion and if the person doing the persuading has some credentials behind their name the people listening to the persuader believe it. If you have any doubts about that just think about our government convincing voters that the one sure way of this country getting out of debt is to spend more money. Really??!! There are some art critics and buyers in this country who place a value on certain pieces of art because "they" believe it to be great art. Really??!! Where was the hard work, the knowledge of color and composition, the inspiration behind the created image? Is it to be just the whimms and opinions of a few to tell us what's great or not or better yet, our eyes and gut feelings to tell us what is great. I am a conservative traditionalist who believes in the powers of lots of hard work mixed with talent that creates great and lasting art.

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

I cannot say bad things about Rothko because I like it. I am a fan of minimalism particularly with squares, rectangles, geometric shapes.
Maybe I am trying to say something as a woman. You know, Mondrian said Curves are emotional. Emotions can be signs of weakness. Maybe I am trying to compress something here? Is that why I like rectangles and Squares? I don't know, but I like it. One thing though the connection with Rockafella and Rothko painting tells me something.
Rockefeller and his whole business are an another story. Rockefeller purchased the standard oil company back in 20' in NJ. Now it became Exxon. The story behind Exxon is quite interesting. Standard oil company connection with Vanderbilt railroad. Well ! you are talking about major political issues.
As you know petroleum industry doesn't go hand and hand with environmental issues.

Oh the photo up there,
You kidding me, that's worth the money, It might worth a lifetime for some fools like my friend back in Korea. LOL
Its Ringo, he walked on it. that photo is my friend, crying like a baby. LOL.

 

Vanessa Bates

8 Years Ago

Hi Harold,

Maybe some of that persuasion is made easier with a population that isn't well grounded in world history, at least regarding the spending analogy. Persuasion might be made easier too since most are trying to balance what little free time afforded to them, so it's less that people are persuaded and more likely they are too distracted to voice disagreement. But yes, amen on the hard work in art.

 

Drew

8 Years Ago

Ron, did you take your cat to see a Rothko?

 

James McCormack

8 Years Ago

@Ronald - I agree Duchamp had a big contribution in questioning what is art. I also think he poked fun at it as part of that, and yes, did some silly things. Art has to be fun as well as being all serious-seeing-god-rothkto-type.

@Hyoye - nice honest reaction

As for "worn familiarity" that Vanessa mentioned - sometimes we have to take a step back to see something of the time or in a certain context.

 

Drew

8 Years Ago

Glenn, I wonder if Ringo was wearing Skechers when he stepped on that grass.

 

"Beatle Boots" Drew. Could purchase them at Hardy's Shoes at the Topanga Plaza.

Yes, that photo has stuck in my mind all these years. A photo journalists dream. I was 8... maybe 9 years old when I first saw it. I wonder if the girl in it obtained a Limited Edition Copy...

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

That doesn't look like grass. only few strings? it looks like she pulled Ringo's hair. LOL
These groupies are wild. but then I think he has black hair like one of those bowl cut hair do

 

Dave Bowman

8 Years Ago

I don't think you're missing anything Dan. I just look at work like this Rothko and I don't 'get it' either. As I say I'm not swayed one bit by reputation so I take it on face value. I guess that's where the disconnect is. I look at the price, I look at the work and I see something amiss. I studied art history so I'm not completely naive, but the questions this raises for me about the art world as a whole aren't particularly pleasant, so perhaps I'm best ignoring it and writing it off for what I personally consider it to be.

 

Monsieur Danl

8 Years Ago

No one did it before he did it. That's how Rothko made and name for himself.

 

Edward Fielding

8 Years Ago

Here's a valuable tip concerning the Rothko's - "Auction specialists say collectors historically pay more for works that are red and gold, as opposed to gray."

Rothko's Orange, Red, Yellow sold for $86,882,500 on May 8, 2012 in public auction.

 

Jim Whalen

8 Years Ago

I have studied art history and am not ignorant of Rothko's story and connections (reputation). It is said that he is the first one to do what he did, but what he did, not only does not resonate with me, but actually turns me off. I also feel the same about Warhol's work. I feel as if the art world (gallery owners, curators, critics, artists and moneyed collectors) manipulate the media to create a buzz around the work of someone they choose to support and create an "Emperor Has No Clothes" phenomenon. I personally believe that history will eventually bear this out and relegate some of these manufactured art giants to a footnote.

 

Drew

8 Years Ago

Spending 46.5 million dollars on a dual paint sample Is a statement by the arrogant wealthy that they can control high society's perception of genius. Money is the tool of the game and the painting is irrelevant. It is what was spent by whom that is relevant.

 

Randam Ulmer

8 Years Ago

before I saw the check which was of $7921 , I didn't believe that...my... friends brother was like they say actualie bringing in money part-time from there labtop. . there neighbor haz done this for only about fifteen months and resently cleared the loans on there villa and bought a gorgeous Alfa Romeo . try this site .........................

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+ http://www.netjob20.tk

 

Random is my cue to go ahead and close this discussion thread.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

 

This discussion is closed.