The Rothko Chapel: Profane or Sacred Space?

Despite the atheism of renowned abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko, artist was commissioned by Christians to create a sacred space that originally intended be used religious believers: Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas. The project started out as collaboration between and another atheist: famed architect Phillip Johnson, who designed several prominent spaces throughout his distinguished career. While Johnson removed himself from early on, would have carried conceptual vision all way end if it were not for tragic suicide just prior Chapel’s completion. Using guide criteria set forth classic work Sacred Profane historian Mircea Eliade, I will consider question how non-believers can rightly considered sacred, well ways which falls short.