Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to Aleshia Haselden's column, "Modern Art not Deserving of Constant Praise" from Jan. 28. After reading the column, I was sad that Haselden so quickly dismissed Mark Rothko's paintings as nothing more than "colored rectangles." What made me sad about Haselden's observation was that she was making a judgment on a reproduction of Rothko's work, not on the original piece. In fact, Rothko's original works are quite spectacular. I had the fortunate chance to experience a room of six original Rothko paintings at the Tate Modern art museum in London last year. I was one of the first people to arrive at the museum that day, so I had the room (about the same size as the Atrium Gallery) to myself. This collection of six pieces had originally been commissioned as a mural. Rothko chose to use maroon, black and red for the six paintings. the colors were so deep, oppressive and quieting and the size of the canvases were so large and looming that I had to sit down out of fear of being crushed by the work.
I was amazed that "colored rectangles" could be so moving. Before the experience at the Tate Modern, I had not paid much attention to Rothko's work. However, after seeing the original pieces and experiencing all they had to offer, I became a Rothko fan. Although the Ball State Museum does not have a Rothko in the collection, I encourage Haselden and anyone else who is interested in art to visit art museums to see actual pieces before passing judgment on reproductions.
Quinn Slayton
Senior
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