The place of the concepts of randomness and uncertainty in Mark Rothko's works

This thesis examines the works of Mark Rothko, an important figure within the Abstract Expressionist movement, focusing on the concepts of randomness and ambiguity. Psychoanalysis and the concepts of self, as well as Freud's theory of the unconscious and its impact on art and artists, are discussed within the context of Abstract Expressionism. Mark Rothko's Color Field approach holds a significant place in Abstract Expressionist Art and is a primary focus of this thesis. Additionally, the role of Color Field in the New York art scene and its influence on 20th-century art are also examined. The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate how Rothko's artistic expressions and themes resonate with the viewer's unconscious, resulting in profound and lasting artistic experiences. In Rothko's works, randomness manifests through the free association of colors and forms without adhering to a specific order or composition plan. This evokes images and emotions from the viewer's unconscious, creating a personal and subjective experience. Ambiguity, characterized by the absence of distinct boundaries and sharp lines, and the fluid transition of color fields and forms, evokes a sense of uncertainty in the viewer, highlighting the dynamic and mutable nature of the artwork. This thesis also explores Rothko's artistic production through the lens of Freud's concepts of id, ego, and superego. Randomness allows the viewer's id to be freely expressed, while ambiguity engages the ego and challenges the boundaries imposed by the superego. This process facilitates the viewer's confrontation with their inner world and deepens their artistic experience. Qualitative research methods were employed to gather documents and data. The concepts and themes discussed were examined and analyzed. Based on the collected data, the works of Abstract Expressionist artist Mark Rothko were selected. Data on the concepts of randomness and ambiguity were collected and their interpretations analyzed. The relationship between psychoanalysis, self, and art within the context of abstract art was explored from a philosophical perspective.