A play about abstract expressionist Mark Rothko.

If you haven't seen or haven't heard of Red you should. It's a brilliant play by John Logan moving around theaters and currently showing in Atlanta at the Theatrical Outfit. Red is an insightful play about the agony and ecstasy of an artist and his work. It's told through the eyes of artist Mark Rothko who's at the peak of his career working on paintings for an upscale restaurant in downtown New York. He and his assistant dialog about the tension between art and commerce, philosophy, psychology, religion, significance and legacy.

Here's a short excerpt that I loved. It's Rothko speaking to his assistant after asking him whether he liked his painting or not.

ROTHKO: But do you like it?

KEN: Mmm.

ROTHKO: Speak up.

KEN: Yes.

ROTHKO: Of course you like it – how can you not like it?! Everyone likes everything nowadays. They like the television and the phonograph and the soda pop and the shampoo and the Cracker Jack. Everything becomes everything else and it's all nice and pretty and likable. Everything is fun in the sun! Where's the discernment? Where's the arbitration that separates what I like from what I respect, what I deem worthy, what has… listen to me now… significance.

I found this so refreshing. I think this kind of perspective and dialog is vital to anything you want to make better. Whether you are painting, writing, cooking, managing, strategizing or designing. Nothing get's any better if everybody "likes it". Do you respect it? Is it significant? These are the real questions. Agreed? Go see Red. I really hope you don't like it.

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