Mark Rothko - Rothko Chapel
Artist research
Why am I looking at them
Who are they, what is their career
Mark Rothko was an American painter of Russian Jewish descent. Although Rothko himself refused to adhere to any art movement, he is generally identified as an abstract expressionist.
What is the artworks/concept or practice that I am focusing on
Susan J. Barnes states "The Rothko Chapel...became the world's first broadly ecumenical center, a holy place open to all religions and belonging to none. It became a center for international cultural, religious, and philosophical exchanges, for colloquia and performances. And it became a place of private prayer for individuals of all faiths"[1]
Fourteen of Rothko's paintings are displayed in the chapel. Three walls display triptychs, while the other five walls display single paintings.The chapel is an irregular octagonal brick building with gray or rose stucco walls and a baffled skylight. It serves as a place of meditation as well as a meeting hall and is furnished with eight simple, moveable benches for meditative seating; more are provided to accommodate the audience for special events. Holy books from several religions are available.
For Rothko, the Chapel was to be a destination, a place of pilgrimage far from the center of art (in this case, New York) where seekers of Rothko's newly "religious" artwork could journey. Initially, the Chapel, now non-denominational, was to be specifically Roman Catholic, and during the first three years of the project (1964–67) Rothko believed it would remain so. Thus, Rothko's design of the building and the religious implications of the paintings were inspired by Roman Catholic art and architecture. Its octagonal shape is based on a Byzantine church of St. Maria Assunta, and the format of the triptychs is based on paintings of the Crucifixion. The de Menils believed the universal "spiritual" aspect of Rothko's work would complement the elements of Roman Catholicism.[3]
At the dedication, Dominique de Menil said, "We are cluttered with images and only abstract art can bring us to the threshold of the divine,"
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[1] Barnes, Susan; John de Menil; Dominique de Menil; Mark Rothko; Barnett Newman; Philip Johnson (1989). The Rothko Chapel: an act of faith. Rothko Chapel. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-945472-00-1. Quote on p. 108, reprinted in the NRHP Nomination form.
[3]Fampeople 2012. "Mark Rothko : biography" fampeople.com. Accessed 27 May 2017. URL:http://www.fampeople.com/cat-mark-rothko_5
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