The Rothko Chapel

Mark Rothko, one of the most influential American artists of the mid twentieth century, was commissioned by Dominique and John de Menil in 1964 and given the opportunity to shape and control a total environment to encompass his work, resulting in a group of fourteen paintings created specially for the meditative space. He worked closely with the original architect, Philip Johnson, on the plans, and then with Houston architects Howard Barnstone and Eugene Aubry who completed the building.

"The mission of the Rothko Chapel is to inspire people to action through art and contemplation, to nurture reverence for the highest aspirations of humanity, and to provide a forum for global concerns."

This is how it looks from the outside, a nondescript building on a suburban street. When I arrived it was close to 5pm so the natural light from the ceiling was fading and the Rothko paintings appeared to be totally black. But the space has an undeniable power and several people were meditating. Photography indoors is forbidden so these interior shots are taken from the internet.

This sculpture "Broken Obelisk" by Barnett Newman stands in the garden as a memorial to Martin Luther King.