FILM

Aurora Picture Show presents Through the Lens: The Early Days of the Rothko Chapel as Seen by Francois de Menil, Saturday, October 1, 7PM. Outdoors at the Rothko Chapel, 3900 Yupon. Free Admission.

Francois de Menil, a son of Dominique and John de Menil, filmed key moments of the Chapels early years, including interviews with his parents. The filming was completed in 1972 but was just recently digitized by filmmakers de Menil and Jerry Michaels. Along with interviews with the senior de Menils about their decision to commission the painter Mark Rothko in 1964, and the spiritual goals of the building, the film captures the interfaith commitment of the Chapel through three religious ceremonies in the Chapel: a Catholic service, a Presbyterian Lenten service, and an Islamic prayer.

The film also shows rare archival footage of Mrs. de Menil dedicating the Chapel to the people of Houston in 1971 and captures the contemplative nature of the space with slow shots of the interior and of visitors experiencing the art and architecture.

The film will be shown on the Chapel's plaza and will be followed by a question and answer session with the filmmaker.

Francois de Menil is the son of John and Dominique de Menil. He is a filmmaker and, since 1987, an architect, known for his award winning designs including the Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum.

The Rothko chapel is an internationally renowned intimate sanctuary formed around 14 monumental canvases by Mark Rothko. It is an interfaith space conceived and made possible by Houston philanthropists Dominique and John de Menil, and a timeless landmark that was blessed by an international roster of religious dignitaries when it opened in 1971.

Image credit: Francois de Menil filming at the Rothko Chapel, February 1973. Photo: Hickey-Robertson, Houston.