Rothko Chapel

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]


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  • ROTHKO, MARK — (1903–1970), U.S. painter. Born Marcus Rothkowitz in Dvinsk, Russia, Rothko immigrated to the United States in 1913 with his family, settling in Portland, Oregon. He attended Yale University on a scholarship (1921–23), but after two years he… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Rothko, Mark — orig. Marcus Rothkowitz born Sept. 25, 1903, Dvinsk, Russia died Feb. 25, 1970, New York, N.Y., U.S. Russian born U.S. painter. His family settled in Portland, Ore., in 1913, and he took up painting (largely self taught) after moving to New York… …   Universalium

  • Rothko — Mark Rothko Mark Rothko (Lettisch: Marks Rotko; * 25. September 1903 in Daugavpils/Dwinsk, deutsch Dünaburg, Lettland, als Marcus Rothkowitz; † 25. Februar 1970 in New York) war ein lettisch amerikanischer Maler des …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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  • Rothko, Mark — (1903–70)    US abstract painter. Born in Russia, Rothko came to the United States as a boy. In 1935 he was a founder member of the Expressionist group known as ‘The Ten’. The European surrealists who arrived after the advent of Hitler had a… …   Who’s Who in Jewish History after the period of the Old Testament

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  • Mark Rothko — (Lettisch: Marks Rotko; * 12. Septemberjul./ 25. September 1903greg.[1] in Daugavpils/Dwinsk, deutsch Dünaburg, Lettla …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Chapelle Rothko — Extérieur de la chapelle Rothko, en 2004. La chapelle Rothko (Rothko Chapel en anglais) est une chapelle sans dénomination située à Houston, Texas, aux États Unis. Construite à l initiative des collectionneurs franco américains Jean et Dominique… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mark Rothko — Nombre de nacimiento Marcus Rothkowitz Nacimiento 25 de septiembre, 1903 Daugavpils, Letonia Fallecimiento 25 de febrero, 1970 (67) Nueva York, Estados Un …   Wikipedia Español

  • Cheville Chapel — Coordinates: 40°37′00″N 93°55′42″W / 40.6168°N 93.9282°W / 40.6168; 93.9282 …   Wikipedia

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