Rothko Chapel

So simple, so beautiful.

Alright, I’m not going to lie, I’m not a fan of Rothko AT ALL. Frankly, I can’t stand his “work,” but that’s my own opinion. However, I did enjoy the Rothko Chapel, not because of the ahem artwork featured on the wall, but the peaceful feel of the chapel that you can’t really find anywhere else. I can’t think of anywhere where I’ve felt more… free… to think what I want and feel what I want. It was very uplifting, sitting there, staring at a black canvas, being drawn in deeper to my soul to hear God’s voice (you can hear whatever voice you want, it’s non-denominational).

This is a place that is a must if you are a fan of Rothko. If you are a Houstonian, it’s required if you want to consider your local artistic education complete. I was thinking it would be a good place to take a prayer group or maybe say a rosary. They say the longer you stay there and calm your mind, the more you “get” it. It does have the solemn feeling of a prayer chapel, but it’s totally non-denominational. I heard people call it “anti-religious” in a way, I guess you could look at it that way if you wanted to. Good place to find peace. Even better if you like Rothko. It’s very subtle though, this is not “jump out and grab you” art, it’s contemplative. Not for everyone.

From http://www.rothkochapel.org: Leave the hectic pace of life behind for an hour and join the monthly meditation practices held in the Rothko Chapel. Learn and practice meditation presented by practitioners from Sikh, Theravada Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Native American, and other traditions. The 2006-2007 Meditation Series begins in October and will continue for 12 months. From 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm each month, a different teacher will speak about the history and practices of that tradition.

See: http://www.rothkochapel.org/meditationsIIrothko.htm for schedule

If you like Rothko, you should clearly go. If you like dark, quiet places, then go. But, frankly, it’s not all that impressive to me. Any of Houston’s art museums (within spitting distance from the Rothko Chapel) are more interesting as art. I think this place is popular as an anti-church where people can un-worship in a totally postmodern, pluralistic way. But that’s not very interesting to me.