I saw $100 million painting at AGO and it blew me away

[Zoot Allures]

It was spectacular; beyond anything I expected (which was not much as I thought it was just nonsense)



Rothko’s No. 1, White and Red



I sat on the couch as I figured that must be the perfect spot to view it.

I stared at it for 10 minutes trying to figure it out and it started to move

No biggy as I suspect the subtle layering of the paint and the fuzzy images created the optical illusion

but then something amazing happened

The colours transformed into the most gorgeous colours possible; beauty beyond imagination.

Staring at such beauty was a transcendant experience; very healing as you are given understanding.
Art at its highest form possible

Close experience is a magic mushroom trip with spiritual music being played

So, I felt compelled to read what Rothko had to say and my experience was dead on what he was pursuing. He says his paintings have a sacred quality. They are not just a pretty painting.

He also said a very small percentage of people who view his painings understand them.
I am one of the chosen few

Thank you Monsieur Rothko

 

[Ceiling Cat]

The Emperor's New Clothes is a classic fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen and first published in 1837. It tells the story of a vain emperor who is obsessed with his appearance and fine clothing.

Plot Summary:

A pair of swindlers arrive at the emperor's court, claiming to be master weavers. They promise to make the most magnificent suit of clothes ever seen, but with a magical property—only those who are intelligent and competent can see the fabric. In reality, the weavers make no clothes at all, but they pretend to be working, and the emperor and his courtiers, not wanting to appear foolish or unfit for their positions, all pretend they can see the nonexistent garments.


When the emperor finally "wears" his new clothes in a grand procession, the entire town admires him—except for one honest child, who exclaims, "But he isn’t wearing anything at all!" This truth spreads, but the emperor, though embarrassed, continues his parade as if nothing is wrong.

Moral of the Story:

The tale is a satire on vanity, pride, and the fear of standing out from the crowd. It highlights how people often go along with falsehoods to avoid looking foolish, even when the truth is obvious.



While I do appreciate some of the finer things in life, I do so out of personal taste rather than following fads or indulging in what the so-called "in crowd" deems fashionable. I am not an aficionado of modern art. Perhaps I could be persuaded if simply gazing at an objet d'art sent me into an opium-like trance, but so far, that has yet to happen.
As I’ve mentioned before, I do enjoy a good scotch, though most of the bottles I own are gifted to me by several middle-management career ladies (with benefits). They look after me as I look after them and their portfolios. When they vacation in Cuba, they bring back boxes of cigars for me. On one occasion, I was even gifted an $80 bottle of cherry liqueur, far too extravagant for me to have bought for myself.
Some luxury products, however, owe their popularity solely to celebrity endorsements. Cîroc vodka, for instance, only gained traction because of Diddy’s backing, and Cadillac Escalades were initially a flop until GM handed out 2,000 of them to rappers.
True appreciation for the finer things in life must be done in moderation; otherwise, even luxury becomes mundane. As for fine art, it must inspire a collective sense of wonder and evoke a profound excitement of the mind—otherwise, it is merely tri colored brush strokes on a canvas.