Rothko Chapel (USA) – description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
Come as you are – this line from the popular Nirvana song is considered by the administration of the Rothko Chapel to be the most accurate description of the mission of this building, located in the Museum Quarter of Houston. See topschoolsoflaw for brief history of Nevada.
The Rothko Chapel is called the temple of all religions, it is a real oasis of eternity in the heart of bustling Houston, the fourth largest city in the States. This is a place where you can enjoy painting, meditate, take a walk in the fresh air in an exceptionally beautiful garden and simply disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
The paintings of the American expressionist artist Mark Rothko are responsible for the artistic component here, and the meditative environment of the chapel and a lot of interesting courses and master classes on self-development are responsible for spiritual perfection.
The picturesque “Broken Monument” by sculptor Barnett Newton, standing on the square in front of the chapel, is dedicated to Martin Luther King.
A bit of history
The idea to create a spiritual space that could be visited by all people, regardless of race and religion, came to the de Menil couple of Houston collectors and patrons in the 1960s. In 1964, the artist Mark Rothko was commissioned to create a concept for the future ecumenical chapel and paintings to fill its interiors. Work continued until 1970, and in 1971 the space received its first visitors. Since 1973, seminars, colloquia and meetings with contemporary spiritual leaders, theatrical and musical performances have been held in the chapel. In 1999-2000 the space was closed for renovation, during which the squares were expanded and paintings by Rothko were restored.
The first thought of many visitors to the Rothko Chapel is “Where are the paintings here?”
What to watch
The Rothko Chapel is a very unusual building. It was built from alternating blocks of gray and pink tuff in the shape of a Greek Orthodox cross with rays of equal length. Above their intersection is the main hall of the chapel, covered with a glass dome. Paintings by Mark Rothko hang on the walls – the compositions occupy almost the entire space of each wall and are made in monochrome grayscale.
In front of the entrance to the chapel there is a small square with a Reflecting Pond, in the motionless water surface of which, according to the architect, everyone can see their true, beautiful and eternal appearance.
The interior space of the hall is occupied by rows of ascetic benches, sitting on which you can immerse yourself in meditative contemplation of the canvases.
The Rothko Chapel hosts almost daily various cultural and new age events, information about which is published on the organization’s website. Concerts of traditional Indian music alternate with yoga classes, and collective meditations with celebrations of the solstice, Easter or the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Regular tai chi classes are held outdoors at the Reflecting Pond.
Practical information
Address: 1409 Sul Ross Avenue, Houston, at 3900 Yupon Street . Website.
Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
The entrance is free. Photo and video filming is prohibited.