By John Logan - Auckland Theatre Company

SYNoPSIS
1950s New York. In
the dimly-lit sanctum
of the artist’s studio,
abstract expressionist
painter Mark Rothko
drinks, smokes and
works. His project:
a series of enormous
red murals to grace
the walls of a new
restaurant in the
Seagram Building.
Into this carefully controlled
environment comes Rothko’s
new assistant, Ken, bringing
with him Chinese takeaways,
his own aspirations, and
a new perspective on the
changing outside world.
Layer by layer the foundations
of the paintings – and the
relationship – are laid.
Rothko’s rants and revelations
are punctuated and proved by
Ken’s insights. The past and
future are brought together
in the deepening hues that
demonstrate the meaning of
tragedy for both men.
As Rothko’s contemplations
on canvas draw near
completion, Ken begins
to challenge the painter’s
assumptions about his
assistant and his art. Reading
between the rough lines of
colour, much is revealed about
the messy art of living.
deveLoPed
And toured
By te PAPA
Brian Brake
Lens on the World
1 June to 14 August
free Admission
Auckland Art Gallery
Toi o Tāmaki
open daily 10am–5pm
Corner Wellesley and Lorne streets
www.aucklandartgallery.com
Brian Brake (1927–1988) Monsoon girl from
the series: monsoon, 1960, india. gift of
mr raymond Wai-man Lau, 2001, te Papa