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.