Discussion on "Sketches of Frank Gehry

The documentary was unusual, however, so was the subject.  The design techniques that Gehry and his firm rely on appear bizarre; they are not.  Ghery does not rely on the standard issue drafting table and architects rule.  He relies on the physical world around him for inspiration.  This viewer found it interesting how hands on Ghery is (literally) during the design process, from concept, modeling, to final construction.  His staff is loyal and creative.  The modeling techniques used by The Ghery staff appeared to be very effective for the creation of his desired textures, shapes, flow, and light reflection.  Upon further reflection it is not fair to for this viewer to label the subject of this documentary as unusual.  Ghery does things differently, but well.  His work and techniques are refreshing.   Inspiration may be drawn by neophyte designers from Gehry’s modeling and design techniques.  

Sketches of Frank Gehry Reflection

The documentary film, Sketches of Frank Gehry, was interesting because of its intimate quality. As a friend of Gehry's, director Sydney Pollack provided a personal look at the life and works of the innovative and controversial architect. While often perceived to be pompous and arrogant, the film portrayed Gehry's insecurities as a designer. Most interesting was the film's exploration of the design process as it is executed in Gehry's studio by the man himself and his quirky assistants through sketches, model production, and change after change after change to his designs. The director interviews several fans of Gehry and satisfied clients but also talks to a few who don't care for Gehry's designs, which provides a fairly balanced representation of the world's perception of his contentious works.

Frank Gehry is somewhat of an architectural schismatic; taking out more conventional forms of design and building while making people rethink how they conceptualize architecture. His buildings take one by surprise, but very pleasantly so. Some, shown in the documentary, jump out at the spectator as compared to the surrounding structures, but not in an inharmonious way. They are like works of art in themselves, and beg a second, third, and fourth look.

The processes and methods employed by the architect were quite atypical; folding paper, and refolding, refolding, refolding. The organization of his mental and creative capacities seemed simple but ingeneous at the same time. Some people might be frightened by his divorce from conventional architecture, but his methods seem to work for him. Based on the number and popularity of his structures, they seem to be appreciated by others too.

Response to "Sketches of Frank Gehry"

In viewing the documentary “Sketches of Frank Gehry” I further understood the design process that our class learning to utilize as a tool in achieving more and better ideas.  Gehry struggles through concept models, process models and sketches in order to find a form he wants to work with.  In the film he crinkles up a piece of paper in frustration, only to use it in a model!  He says something to the effect that he may find inspiration in the negative space of a city trash can full of litter, and then use it in one of his masterpiece buildings.  The greatest thing a student can glean from Gehry is to keep pushing the envelope, to let go of the ideas implanted in our heads from tradition and our experience of the world. 

Gehry does have a small army of assistants and colleagues to service his every need.  But even when he had to work on undesirable projects like mini-malls in order to pay the bills, he still maintained his integrity by working on other projects that challenged his intellect.   Now that Gehry has achieved wild success and can afford to work solely on projects of his choosing, he is able to fully unleash his creativity and break all the rules.

It is a treat to act as voyeur upon the dialogue between Gehry and another great artist, the director of the film Sydney Pollack.  Their discussions about maintaining artistic integrity in the often ruthless field where profit is king, was especially enlightening.  Pollack, a notable director of feature films, and long time friend of Gehry, captures an intimate style through operating the handheld camera himself and conducting informal interviews.

“Sketches of Frank Gehry”  is incredibly inspiring film for students of design and anyone involved in the design process.  The film itself could be used as a tool for getting through the struggle of finding that model or drawing that inspires the final design idea.

Reflections on S. F. G.

The film "Sketches of Frank Gehry" provided an interesting introduction to the life and design process of the iconic Frank Gehry. The film proved to be quite insightful, while not becoming boring. In particular, the film covered the progression of Gehry's work, from the early years when he was still designing buildings which fit the norm and trying to make money, through today and his starchitect status. It seems that everyone needs to visit a psychiatrist in order to open themselves and free up their creativity. Obviously, as Gehry's doctor pointed out, you cannot free someone's creativity if there is nothing there in the first place. But, this part of his story made an good point, that it is important as a designer to create things that you want to create, and help your clients to understand the work, rather that create strictly for the client and have to justify it to yourself.

The most compelling aspect of the film was the opportunity to see Gehry and his design process at work. His focus is primarily on using fluid and rough sketches to create process models. He and his associates then focus on cutting, gluing, adding and subracting to push the design in model form. The process was very inspirational, in fact, particularly the idea of seeing the work in 3-d throughout design and only computerizing the model data at the end of the process of modeling. Thus, the computer, on which it is difficult to feel the actual space, does not become a hinderance. It is quite clear that the process has worked well for Gehry, and the freedom of said process is visible in his work.

Reflections on "Sketches of Frank Gehry"

The film, Sketches of Frank Gehry, gives an amazingly clear and insightful example of the many steps involved in the design process from initial sketches to the actualization of the final design.  Gehry's ability to distance himself from his own work is extraordinary and, most likely, is the reason he has been able to achieve such high levels of acclaim.  While not always able to express the precise reason why an element of a design is not quite working, he is the first to reach out and tear a piece off of a model in order to get it right.  The shear quantity of models and drawings that go into producing a single building is shocking.  Gehry's process continually slips between modeling and drawing, allowing him constantly changing perspectives on the same subject.  Also surprising about the film, and on a more personal note, is the vulnerability and humility that Gehry shows in describing his early career and his experiences of not being accepted by the architectural community and how he eventually found a warmer reception  in the art community.  The film is evidence of the passion and attention to detail that Frank Gehry applies to every problem put before him.  His drive to continually re-evaluate his work doesn't even cease when the project has long been "completed."

Sketches of Frank Gehry

   In a few words, this film is awesome.  It is especially beneficial to beginning designers in any field.  Frank Gehry boldly demonstrates the importance of taking risks, distilling ideas, and collaboration.  He and his studio work fluidly and adaptively through drawing, modeling, both in different scales, to arrive on their evocative designs.  He teaches the audience the importance of separating one's self from one's work.  He warns beginning designers not to let individual projects become precious so that they become or approach a sort of keystone of one's career.  Any such keystones occur only as a result of the sheer volume of producing multiple works, be it models, drawings, shelved projects, etc.

  As an architect, artist, and designer, Frank Gehry comes across as self-effacing, humble, and otherwise non-flashy.  His designs and work ethic speak otherwise; in this capacity, he is extremely extraverted, almost flamboyant, and driven to excel, producing the best work possible.  His interviews make portray him simultaneously as being very human, fully aware and embracing his shortcomings, while also being a superior craftsman and visionary, proud of his work and indifferent to those who do not care for his work.  "Sketches of Frank Gehry" is well worth your time.