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ARENa’S PAGE STUDY GUIDE CONTENTS The Play Meet the Playwright Meet Mark Rothko A Brief Art Timeline REDBy John Logan The Working Artist Directed by Robert Falls Three Big Questions Produced in association with Goodman Theatre Additional Resources Now playing in the Kreeger January 20 – March 11, 2012 THE PLAY Late 1950s, New York City: Mark Rothko is at the peak of his fame in the art world. His work is abstract, emotional and bold. His signature style has stunned critics, including the architects of a luxury restaurant, the Four Seasons on Park Avenue. Rothko has been hired to create three original murals – known as the Seagram Murals – for the highly anticipated restaurant. Ken, an aspiring artist, has been hired to assist him. But Mark Rothko yells. He smokes. He gets upset, demands hard work and is quick to argue with anyone that disagrees with him. He is especially emphatic about the new direction of art, one that he feels isn’t real art at all. As Ken’s relationship with Rothko develops, his patience with the artist lessens. Their relationship grows tense as the changing art world challenges Rothko to examine himself and his art. Will Rothko proceed with the Seagram Murals? If he does, is he leaving behind his artistic mission? In a time when art is on the verge of transition to a younger generation, will Rothko’s fiery red passion be swallowed up by black? Major support for this program is provided by the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. Funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. MEET THE MEET MARK ROTHKO PLAYWRIGHT: (1903-1970) Mark Rothko Later, after reading the In 1946, he pushed deeper ark Rothko was born philosophy of Friedrich into the abstract, using Marcus Rothkowitz Nietzsche, Rothko began shape and color. At this point, Min what is now to explore art’s ability to his critical success and fame Latvia. Rothko’s father release the unconscious gave Rothko opportunities JOHN LOGAN moved his family to the U.S. and explore complex like painting the Seagram in 1913. After his father died, emotion. He was having Murals seen in the play. Rothko started working in a trouble using recognizable orn in San Diego in factory at age 13. figures – like people and 1961, John Logan is objects – to express the an award-winning He received a scholarship tragedy of the human B to Yale but left early in his condition. His work grew playwright, screenwriter and producer. His parents second year. He moved to more abstract, representing are from Northern Ireland New York City and dove subjects using symbols, but immigrated to the U.S. deep into exploring and shapes and colors. via Canada. Logan grew creating art. up in California and New Jersey, then earned his He changed his name to Mark Rothko in 1940 Friedrich Rothko’s Seagram Murals, degree from Northwestern National Gallery of Art, because of growing anti- Nietzsche, University in 1983. 19th century Semitism (anti-Jewish German An accomplished writer, feelings) in the world. philosopher, His colors started to grow Logan has received many His work was influenced challenged the darker. A brain aneurism by mythology, drawing foundations of in 1968 weakened his of the highest awards for Christian morality playwriting, including the connections between health and drove him into (right and wrong) and traditional depression. In 1970 his Tony, Drama Desk, Outer ancient tales of barbarism mortality (human life and death). Critics Circle and Drama and tensions in his world He believed in focusing on the assistant found him dead in League awards for Red. due to the Great Depression present, rather than on any sort the studio kitchen. He had and World War II. Eventually, of afterlife. He is one of the committed suicide. l many influences Rothko credits. For Logan, Red marked a he decided mythology was return to the stage after outdated and did not help him express emotion. years of writing for movies FACT and television. His original Rothko had wanted to be an actor. Later he would say his screenplays for the paintings were plays, meant to be emotional conversations films Gladiator and The with the viewer, and that the color fields were the actors. Aviator were nominated for Academy Awards. His screen adaptation of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street starring Johnny Depp won a Golden Globe Award. Next year, Logan’s film Bond 23, another adventure for James Bond, will be released. l An example of Rothko’s BECOMING ROTHKO mythological images, The Syrian Activity: Edward Gero plays the role Bull, 1943, Allen Memorial Art Museum of Mark Rothko in Red. Read his blog, geroasrothko.wordpress.com, to see how he researched, rehearsed and transformed for the role. Photo by Liz Lauren. A BRIEF ART TIMELINE rtists are influenced by the Aartists that come before them and the world around them. Here are the major movements leading up to and including the work of Rothko and the next generation of artists. Activity: View other examples of art from these “isms.” What changes from period to period? What influences do you see? What counter- revolutions? In what other art forms do you see such changes over time (e.g., music)? Pablo Picasso, Three Musicians, 1921, Research by Kate Coughlin Museum of Modern Art Cubism (1908-1919) Marcel Duchamp, L.H.O.O.Q., 1919, private collection Artists like Pablo Picasso Dadaism (1916-1920s) The multiple angles and disjointed, broken Artists like Marcel Duchamp and reassembled objects reflected a world Artists showed their dissatisfaction with a war-torn world and art by making that was growing complicated. random art that showed nothing and meant nothing. It was “anti-art.” Salvador Dalí, The Persistence of Memory, Jackson Pollock, Number 1, 1950, 1931, Museum of Modern Art National Gallery of Art Surrealism (1920-1930s) Abstract Expressionism (1940-1960s) Artists like Salvador Dalí Artists like Jackson Pollock & Mark Rothko The real world was harsh and controlling, so Art was non-representation – it was not meant artists created a new world of dreams and to be something but meant to mean something. strange comparisons. Shapes and colors were meant to ignite an Andy Warhol, Campbell emotional experience. Soup 1, 1968, Kerry Stokes Collection Pop Art (1950-1960s) Artists like Andy Warhol Activity: Color is significant and symbolic, and humans respond to it Artists challenged the emotionally. Make a list of colors and then discuss what the colors mean elitism in fine art and or evoke. Hypothesize: why is the play entitled Red? used imagery from current culture, like advertisements, Read more about color and other themes and information connected to Red at cartoons and celebrities. Sub/Text: Your Virtual Dramaturg at www.arenastage.org. Helpful Hints for Theater Audiences As an audience member at the theater, YOU are part of the show! Just as you THE WORKING see and hear the actors onstage, they can see and hear you in the audience. To help the performers do their best, please remember the following: ARTIST Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Visit the restroom before the show starts. Before the show begins, turn off your cell phone, watch alarms, pagers and other electronic devices. If anything rings by accident, shut it off immediately. Save food and drinks for the lobby. There is no eating or drinking inside the theater. eople often picture artists as Though Ken is fictional, Rothko, like people who live and work in their many other artists, had assistants. Walk to and from your seat - no warehouseP apartments, who create Artists’ assistants’ work varies based running in the theater! works of art, alone, at all hours of day, on the artist they work with. Tasks Do not talk, whisper, sing or hum. whenever inspiration strikes. might include preparing materials, Do not use cell phones for calls, text making food, research, installing and messages, pictures or games. However, Mark Rothko, like many other dismantling work, and running errands. artists, made his art like going to work Rothko’s assistant helped stretch Keep your feet on the floor, not on each day. Rothko arrived at his studio canvasses and applied base layers of the seat in front of you. around 8:45 a.m. and changed into his treatment and paint. Avoid getting up during a show painting clothes (his assistant during because it distracts your neighbors the Seagram Murals, Dan Rice, said the Artist’s assistants are often artists and the performers. If you must leave, clothes could practically stand up on themselves, helping another artist until wait for a scene change, then exit quietly and quickly. their own). He left at the end of the day. they establish their own body of work. l Photo by Liz Lauren. Performers appreciate enthusiastic applause rather than whistling or shouting. Cameras and videotape are prohibited because they are THREE BIG QUESTIONS distracting to the performers. ONE. How is Red a twO. What makes THREE. Red explores Enjoy the show! story of generations, something “art”? opposites/dualities (e.g., red even of fathers and vs. black); how are they sig- sons? nificant to the play? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Books The Artist’s Reality: Philosophies on Art by Mark Rothko, 2006. The Essential Mark Rothko by Klaus Ottmann, 2003. 1101 Sixth St., SW On the Web Washington, DC 20024 Phillips Collection: “Mark Rothko: Ochre on Red on Red” Phone: 202-554-9066 www.phillipscollection.org/research/american_art/learning/rothko-learning.htm Fax: 202-488-4056 Phillips Collection: “Audio Tour of Mark Rothko: Green and Maroon” www.phillipscollec- tion.org/collection/audio-tour/ Written by Fareed Mostoufi National Gallery of Art: “Mark Rothko” www.nga.gov/feature/rothko/rothkosplash.shtm Edited by Rebecca Campana MoMA Learning: “What is Abstract Expressionism: Mark Rothko” education.moma.org/ Special thanks to the Phillips moma/learningresources/cms_page/view/366521 Collection and the National Gallery of Art.