A beautifully terrifying experience, Emily, and vice versa. Having done some intense meditation (a couple of 10-day silent retreats, for example) I can appreciate the idea of a work of art that brings us both transcendence and deeper into our self--the paradoxical up and down of it, expanding outward while simultaneously descending.
I ... can't recall having had such an experience with a work of art as you did with Rothko, but then I can't remember the last time I was able to sit and meditate upon a piece of art, but I have been deeply moved, given chills and had my attention grabbed by certain things (in my case, usually a piece of music, such as the finale of Benjamin Britten's 'Peter Grimes', Steve Hackett's guitar solo in Genesis' 'Firth of Fifth', or the polyphonic singing of the Ba-Benzélé).
More importantly, moments like these (really deep ones such as you describe) are to be treasured, but most people do fear them. Ram Dass, in his talks, often remarked how a significant number of people who had a trascendant experience wished they hadn't or never wanted it to happen again.
But yeah, it's fine. We'll be ok. If anything, we'll really be better. It's not always easy to go back into the everyday world after these kinds of experiences, but that's just the echo of change working its way through into the rest of your life.
I sat with Rothko in Paris a year and a half ago. Painting after painting had gripping effect. They are profound. Thank you for bringing this experience to life by sharing something so personal.
Thankfully it is open again! I recall it was closed for a long period due to water damage. In its complete surrounding of one’s spirit it is one of the modern art imbued meccas, powerful and freeing. I think next of the Matisse Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence and Sagrada Familia of Gaudí.
But to your point in this essay, we do not need more than our own selves to choose when and where art will take us to another level of ourselves. One piece of art, film, writing, mantra… we have so many catalysts for transcendence. It is hard to think of those walking this earth, not choosing to participate…To take the step beyond our own little boundaries, though scary they may be.
Exactly! Thank you for your beautiful reminder. I do not often really experiece transcendence, but when I do, boy oh boy it's something else. And yes, everything will be okay indeed :)
I can totally see this. Such a good article!
Thank you so much! That really means a lot :))
I saw the Rothko exhibition in Paris last year. I didn’t know about him, and a friend invited me. The canvases brought me to my knees.
Wow, I can literally envision that image of "brought me to my knees". Thank you for sharing that moment. Rothko is really something else...
Such a lovely account. It just shows that you took the time, that you became available for the good, the uncanny and the unknown. Life…
Thank you Joana, and yes, taking my time really did affect things... :)) What an experience...
A beautifully terrifying experience, Emily, and vice versa. Having done some intense meditation (a couple of 10-day silent retreats, for example) I can appreciate the idea of a work of art that brings us both transcendence and deeper into our self--the paradoxical up and down of it, expanding outward while simultaneously descending.
I ... can't recall having had such an experience with a work of art as you did with Rothko, but then I can't remember the last time I was able to sit and meditate upon a piece of art, but I have been deeply moved, given chills and had my attention grabbed by certain things (in my case, usually a piece of music, such as the finale of Benjamin Britten's 'Peter Grimes', Steve Hackett's guitar solo in Genesis' 'Firth of Fifth', or the polyphonic singing of the Ba-Benzélé).
More importantly, moments like these (really deep ones such as you describe) are to be treasured, but most people do fear them. Ram Dass, in his talks, often remarked how a significant number of people who had a trascendant experience wished they hadn't or never wanted it to happen again.
But yeah, it's fine. We'll be ok. If anything, we'll really be better. It's not always easy to go back into the everyday world after these kinds of experiences, but that's just the echo of change working its way through into the rest of your life.
Wonderful writing, Emily. Thanks for sharing it!
I sat with Rothko in Paris a year and a half ago. Painting after painting had gripping effect. They are profound. Thank you for bringing this experience to life by sharing something so personal.
Thankfully it is open again! I recall it was closed for a long period due to water damage. In its complete surrounding of one’s spirit it is one of the modern art imbued meccas, powerful and freeing. I think next of the Matisse Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence and Sagrada Familia of Gaudí.
But to your point in this essay, we do not need more than our own selves to choose when and where art will take us to another level of ourselves. One piece of art, film, writing, mantra… we have so many catalysts for transcendence. It is hard to think of those walking this earth, not choosing to participate…To take the step beyond our own little boundaries, though scary they may be.
We will be okay.
Exactly! Thank you for your beautiful reminder. I do not often really experiece transcendence, but when I do, boy oh boy it's something else. And yes, everything will be okay indeed :)
It must be a life-altering experience... I hope I will be able to visit it at least once in my life.