barragan + rothko : color + solitude

recently, i’ve been looking at the work of luis barragan (1902-1988) and i am completely into his extraordinary sense for color which he executed in massive, saturated architectural planes.   considered the most important mexican architect of the 20th century, he uses color and light to define spaces that are both minimal and spiritual.   barragan once said, only in intimate communion with solitude may man find himself. solitude is good company and my architecture is not for those who fear or shun it.  his work and his belief’s are reminiscent of the work of the abstract expressionist, mark rothko.   also active in the mid 1900s, rothko’s color field paintings evoke a similar spiritual feeling.  i have experienced standing in front of many of rothko’s life-size canvases and would now love to visit some of barragans. simply stunning …..

barragan, barragan house, tacubaya, mexico city, 1940-43.

mark rothko, untitled, c.1950-52, tate modern london.

barragan, chapel in tlalpan, mexico city, 1954-60.

mark rothko, orange and yellow, 1956.

barragan, cuadra san cristobal, los clubes,  mexico city, 1954-60.

mark rothko,  white center, 1950.  private collection.

barragan, galvez house, chimalistac, mexico city, 1955.

mark rothko, untitled, 1953, national gallery of art.

barragan, gilardi house, chapultec, mexico city, 1975.

mark rothko,  earth and green, 1955.