The groundbreaking, internationally acclaimed architect Frank Gehry is in the news again as his brand-new (and first ever) skyscraper nears completion in New York City. This make it an excellent time to take a look at the wonderful 2005 documentary Sketches of Frank Gehry, made by the architect’s friend, the late filmmaker and actor Sydney Pollack. Because the two men were close, the resulting portrait is surprisingly intimate. It grants the viewer access to Gehry’s working-class upbringing, his creative process, his anxieties about his work, and his development as a designer of spectacular buildings that are frequently described as functional sculptures. In drawing his 82 minute sketch of Gehry, Pollack interviews critics, clients, Gehry’s longtime therapist, and even actor Dennis Hopper, who lived in one of Gehry’s houses. And maybe more importantly, he turns his camera on the breathtaking buildings themselves, filming their startling curves and resplendent surfaces with sensitivity and exuberance. The result is a consistently engaging and fascinating look at one of the most celebrated architects of our time.
Take a look at the trailer here, and if you’d like to learn more, check out CMPL’s selection of books about Gehry. Recommended for adults.
No comments:
Post a Comment