Rothko Chapel

The Rothko Chapel is a non-denominational chapel in Houston, Texas founded by John and Dominique de Menil. The interior serves not only as a chapel, but also as a major work of modern art. On its walls are fourteen black but color hued paintings by Mark Rothko. The shape and design of the chapel was largely influenced by the artist.

In 1964 Rothko was commissioned by John and Dominique de Menil (also founders of the nearby Menil Collection) to create a meditative space filled with his paintings. The works are site-specific, one of the requirements of the program. As Rothko was given creative license on the design of the structure, he clashed with the project's original architect, Philip Johnson over the plans for the chapel. The plans went through several revisions and architects. Rothko continued to work first with Howard Barnstone and then with Eugene Aubry, but ultimately he did not live to see the chapel's completion in 1971. After a long struggle with depression, Rothko committed suicide in his New York studio on February 25, 1970.

A distinctive sculpture by Barnett Newman, "Broken Obelisk", 1963-1967, stands in front of the chapel. The sculpture sits in a reflecting pool designed by Philip Johnson and it is dedicated to the late Martin Luther King, Jr.

On September 16, 2000 the Rothko Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

One of Morton Feldman's best known pieces of music was inspired by and written to be performed in the chapel — it too is called "Rothko Chapel" (1971). The musician Peter Gabriel named the song "Fourteen Black Paintings" after his experience in the chapel. [http://people.albion.edu/elf11/dp/songmean.htm] Independent singer-songwriter David Dondero also has an ode to the site titled "Rothko Chapel" (2007).

External links

* [http://www.rothkochapel.org/ Official website]
* [http://www.menil.org/ Menil Collection]