Where is Gehry’s finger pointing at?

Photography © J.L. Cereijido / EPA

The controversial and renowned architect Frank Gehry again creates controversy due to its unusual reaction during a press conference in Oviedo, Spain, where he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts 2014.

When asked to comment on those who accuse him of making "spectacle architecture", Frank Gehry showed the middle finger to the journalist, leading the room in a moment of silence as awkward as explicit.

According to the newspaper El Mundo “Never before has the somewhat ritzy hotel La Reconquista in Oviedo had lived such a digitally erect moment. Architecturally spectacular, so to speak.”

This gesture, coming from one of the most acclaimed and prestigious architects in the world, from the top of his 85 years, have been circulated through all media and social networks.

But if, on one hand, this attitude may appear obscene or even shocking - and it is this side that some media have sought to explore! - It is important to analyze the context in which it occurs.

The architect himself apologized for his act, assigning the excess of his reaction to the jet lag and the fact he has being caught by surprise.

“Let me tell you one thing,” he replied. “In this world we are living in, 98% 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, a group of people do something special. Very few, but God, leave us alone. We are dedicated to our work. I don’t ask for work … I work with clients who respect the art of architecture. Therefore, please don’t ask questions as stupid as that one.” replied Frank Gehry.

In fact, the more significant thing from this incident is this message, revelatory from the society’s opinion regarding to the work of architects in our cities ... which is nonetheless intriguing and frightening.

The question asked by the journalist refers to social criticism which condemns Frank Gehry’s architecture for its exuberance and excessive highlight.

Clip from the series "The Simpsons" in a satire on the concept behind Gehry’s works. 

Guggenheim Museum , Bilbao | Photo via Wikimedia Commons 

But the indignation of Frank Gehry is legitimate. Should society be so outraged for the extravagance of some buildings which, by its uniqueness, such as the Guggenheim Bilbao, are able to provide such a positive impact in a city? Shouldn’t the same society, on the contrary, be much more displeased with the fact that uncharacterized urban spaces are continuing to be build, buildings with no identity which are repeated in Lisbon, São Paulo, Marseille or Beijing?

The truth is that for many, whether Frank Gehry supporters or not, this reality is far more shocking than any obscene gesture made in a tone of rant!