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.