One of my favorite scenes of all time from the outstanding AMC series Mad Men, is this one in which several employees ponder the true meaning of a Rothko painting. Not just the meaning behind the work, but the purpose of it being on the wall, and whether it has any *meaning* at all!
Two possibilities– either Cooper loves it, and you have to love it, like in an “Emperor’s New Clothes” situation, or he thinks it’s a joke and you’ll look like a fool if you pretend to dig it.
Certain works of art feel very distinctly “of a period”, and I think that’s one of the reasons that the art on the walls in the background scenes in Mad Men is so important. It helps to define the time-frame for what is essentially a period drama.
Since one of the things I most look forward to when I’m watching Mad Men, is looking out for art on the walls, I was thrilled to discover this blog: The Art of Mad Men. I love that the author takes so much time to discover the source / artist behind the work that largely features as a subtle backdrop to the action.
As art publisher’s we’re passionate about great art because we understand that it’s that subtle “something” that can not only “wake up your walls”, but helps set the tone of a room in a way that furnishings alone can’t touch – in part because art can be an intimate expression of the person who chooses it, not merely decoration.
I’m a big fan of the mid-century modern aesthetic. I love vintage teak furniture, and modern abstract art, so I wanted to look through our catalogues and pull out a few stand-out pieces that would work really well in a “mid-mod” room setting – some pieces that would fit right in as a background element in Don Draper’s office. Here are the pieces I chose!
For more Art & Madmen inspiration, check out the Sterling Cooper Portfolio on the AMC website.