Frank Gehry, one of the most famous architects of all time, is not impressed with what other people are thinking up and building these days. Not only is Gehry not impressed, he had some pretty strong words to share when asked a question that he also didn't like at a press conference in Spain.
According to Gizmodo, a reporter asked the architect how he would respond to critics who say that he practices "showy architecture." Gehry's initial response was a slow fist that turned into a middle finger, but he had more to say before the moderator could move the conversation along. Here's the full translation back to English by Gizmodo's Jesus Diaz, because it's just too good to paraphrase:
"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. There's no sense of design, no respect for humanity or for anything else. They are damn buildings and that's it. Once in a while, however, there's a small group of people who does something special. Very few. But good god, leave us alone! We are dedicated to our work. I don't ask for work. I don't have a publicist. I'm not waiting for anyone to call me. I work with clients who respect the art of architecture. Therefore, please don't ask questions as stupid as that one."
Gehry apologized and chalked his harsh response up to being tired, but that's not the kind of thing you can take back once it's out there. Gizmodo once called Gehry the "world's worst living architect," for buildings including the Experience Music Project in Seattle and the Biomuseo in Panama, but we thought that his recent work on the Louis Vuitton Foundation building in Paris and the Facebook offices in New York were pretty good.
Gehry didn't say any names, but we secretly hope that this causes a public (and hilarious) beef in the world of architects and designers.
[via Gizmodo]
