Are you an aspiring architect? Do you hope to one day change the world with your innovative designs? Godfather of deconstructivist architecture Frank Gehry has two words for you, modern architect: Piss off.
The curmudgeonly architect behind the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles was slated to receive the Prince of Asturias prize on Friday, featuring a presentation from none other than Spain's King Felipe. But it seems Gehry, 85, was grumpy before the big day:El Mundo reports that the architect flipped off a journalist at a press conference in Oviedo, Spain on Thursday when asked about how he responds to those who accuse him of practicing "showy architecture."
"Let me tell you one thing. In this world we are living in, 98 percent of everything that is built and designed today is pure shit," he said. "There's no sense of design, no respect for humanity or for anything else. They are damn buildings and that's it."
Gehry continued: "Once in a while, however, a group of people do something special. Very few, but God, leave us alone. We are dedicated to our work. I don't ask for work ... I work with clients who respect the art of architecture. Therefore, please don't ask questions as stupid as that one."
After a long and tense silence, the grumbly Gehry apologized for his brash behavior, citing jet lag, and said that the journalists "caught him at a bad time." As for you bright-eyed young architects, keep following your dreams. Unless they're shit.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Paula Mejia is a reporter and culture writer. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The A.V. Club, Pitchfork, ... Read more
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