Why Rothko Resonates but Stockhausen Doesn't: Art vs. Music Accessibility

David Stubbs' book 'Fear of Music' questions why Rothko's paintings are widely embraced while Stockhausen's avant-garde music remains obscure, attributing this to visual media's dominance. Peter Vergo's 'The Music of Painting' (2010) explores historical intersections between visual and sonic arts. Mariella Milan's 'Milioni a colori' (2015) examines how Italian rotocalchi (magazines) shaped public taste for contemporary art between 1960-1964. A 1963 Epoca contest offered paintings by Guttuso, Carrà, Sironi, and others to readers, illustrating art's commodification. The article contrasts this with a hypothetical music contest featuring composers like Berio and Nono, suggesting public indifference. Vincenzo Santarcangelo, author and professor at Politecnico di Torino and IED Milano, argues that images as merchandise have greater cultural penetration than sound.